Aug. 28, 2007

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Dave Durden, who served for the past two seasons as head coach of men's and women's swimming at the University of Maryland, has been named the new men's swimming head coach at the University of California, Berkeley. Durden will replace Nort Thornton, who coached for 33 years for the Golden Bears.

All three Terrapin assistant coaches - Jarod Schroeder, Kevin Clements and Demerae Christianson - will remain with Maryland.

"This is a special opportunity for me to return home to California," said Durden, a 1998 graduate of the University of California Irvine. "I am proud to have been part of the terrific program at Maryland and wish the Terps continued success."

A national search for a new head coach will begin immediately, according to senior associate director of athletics Michael Lipitz. "We are focused on securing a top-quality coach to lead our team and on ensuring a smooth transition for our student-athletes," said Lipitz. "Our swimmers are a talented group in the pool and in the classroom and they deserve the best."

Maryland opens its 2007-08 season with its intrasquad meet on Sept. 28. The Terrapins' regular-season opener is Oct. 26 at home against Johns Hopkins.