July 14, 2005

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - University of Maryland head swimming coach Jim Wenhold has retired from coaching, associate athletics director Troy Tucker announced Thursday.

Wenhold has left coaching due to health and family reasons, according to Tucker.

"The timing is right for me to concentrate on aspects of my life other than swimming," said Wenhold, who was the head coach of men's and women's swimming for 12 seasons. "As a swim program, we've achieved many of our goals, including winning the ACC women's championship and significantly increasing the future scholarship support for our men's team."

Tucker said the search for Wenhold's successor will begin immediately. "Current head coaches and top assistants will be considered," said Tucker. "While there is no specific timetable, we'd like to have the new coach here by the end of August.

"We wish Jim well in his endeavors. We will do whatever we can to ensure a smooth transition and hire a top-quality coach for our swimming student-athletes."

The Maryland women's swimming and diving team won the Atlantic Coast Conference team title at the league championship meet, following an unbeaten regular season. Wenhold finished his Terrapin coaching stint with unbeaten regular-season records over the last two years.

On the men's side, Maryland finished 4-7 in 2004-05 and was eighth at the ACC Championships.

Wenhold graduated magna cum laude from Maryland in 1985 with a degree in physical education. He was the captain of the swim team his junior and senior years and held school records in the 100- and 200-yard backstroke as well as the 100-yard freestyle.

In 1987, Wenhold received his master's degree in sports management from Maryland. In 1991, he became the Terrapins' assistant coach for sprints, and was elevated to head coach prior to the 1993-94 season.