My two cents: Augie Busch's coaching star rising
When Hall of Fame swimming coach Frank Busch left Arizona four years ago, taking over the USA Swimming teams, his son, Augie Busch, hoped to be his replacement.
As an assistant, Augie helped Arizona sweep NCAA championships in 2008 in men’s and women’s swimming. But at 32, he was probably too young and unproven to take on a program of Arizona’s might.
Those days are gone. A week ago, Busch’s Virginia Cavaliers women’s team finished fifth in the NCAA championships. Arizona was 15th, its worst NCAA women’s finish in 27 years.
Busch has surrounded himself at Virginia with Arizona blood. Ex-Wildcat All-American Cory Chitwood and Sam Busch, a Salpointe grad and Augie’s brother, are his top assistant coaches.
Now, at 38, Augie Busch is one of college swimming’s hot young coaching prospects. He spent two years at Houston before being hired at Virginia, which was not anyone’s idea of a swimming power.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if Augie is back on deck at Hillenbrand Aquatic Center after UA coach Rick DeMont retires.
