John Ames Has Interim Tag Removed as Head Coach of Georgia Tech
John Ames, who has led Georgia Tech as its interim coach since August, had that tag removed for the full-time job on Tuesday.
Ames replaced Courtney Shealy Hart in August on an interim basis after 23 years as the Yellow Jackets’ diving coach. He led the men’s team to a 6-1 dual-meet record this year, including a No. 21 national ranking in the CSCAA poll and a ninth-place result at the ACC Championships, the field for which expanded this year. The team has attained 65 NCAA B cuts this year and set nine school records, including in five relays. The Yellow Jackets had one ACC champion, thanks to 3-meter diver Max Fowler, while Berke Saka finished second in the men’s 200 individual medley at ACCs.
“I am honored to be named the Toni M. and Richard L. Bergmark swimming and diving head coach at Georgia Tech, a program that has been my home for more than two decades,” Ames said in a press release. “Leading this team through the transition from interim to head coach has been a privilege, and I am excited to continue building on our tradition of excellence. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our director of athletics, J Batt, and Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera for their trust and support. My focus remains on guiding our student-athletes to success both in and out of the pool.”
As a diving coach, Ames led 10 Georgia Tech divers to NCAA Championships appearances, totaling 29 events at NCAAs and 11 All-American honors. Fowler is the fourth ACC champion he’s tutored, a list that includes 2021 NCAA bronze medalist Cami Hidalgo on 1-meter.
“We’re thrilled to elevate John Ames to our permanent Toni M. and Richard L. Bergmark swimming and diving head coach,” Georgia Tech director of athletics J Batt said. “John has done an outstanding job throughout his 24 years at Tech, first as the most successful diving coach in program history, then in leading our men’s team to a top-25 ranking as interim head coach this season. Our swimming and diving program is in good hands with him at the helm.”
Ames has coached for more than 30 years, starting as a graduate assistant at Western Illinois and six years at George Washington. He’s worked at Montgomery Dive Club and as the head coach of Atlanta Diving Association from 2001-13. He dove collegiately at the Ohio University.
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