Ryan Wochomurka first stepped foot on the campus of Auburn University nearly 20 years ago as a student-athlete on the swimming and diving team.
Now, he’s making a return to his alma mater this year — but in a much different capacity.
On April 23, Auburn announced Wochomurka as its new head swimming and diving coach. The Columbus native had spent the previous six seasons as head coach at the University of Houston.
“I couldn’t be more excited to have the opportunity to serve as head coach at Auburn, my alma mater,” Wochomurka said. “In many ways, it’s a dream come true for me and my family. I’m just excited for the opportunity.”
Wochomurka had his first face-to-face meeting with the Auburn swimmers April 26. When he arrived at the James E. Martin Aquatic Center, he also got the chance to reminisce and reflect on his days in the pool.
“It’s been 20 years ago since I was a freshman (at Auburn),” Wochomurka said. “As much as things have changed, the campus looks different in many, many ways. But in many ways, there’s things that are very much the same.”
Wochomurka, a 2001 Columbus North graduate, had a decorated swimming career in high school. He was a state champion in the 200-yard freestyle in 2000 and the 200 individual medley and 100 freestyle in 2001, setting a state record. In the latter, he also swam on the state champion 200 freestyle relay teams in 1999 and 2000 and on the 400 freestyle relay teams from 1998-2000.
During Wochomurka’s career at Auburn, he helped the Tigers to three SEC and NCAA championships from 2003-05. In 2004, he claimed the 200 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay events at the NCAA Championships. He earned 21 All-American honors during his time with the Tigers.
While swimming at Auburn, Wochomurka represented the United States at the 2003 FINA World Championships, where he was a silver medalist in the 400 freestyle relay. He also was a 2004 Olympic Trials finalist in the 50 freestyle and a two-time FINA World Cup silver medalist.
Wochomurka graduated from Auburn with degrees in political science and finance.
Following graduation, Wochomurka worked at a swimwear manufacturer that was based out of Indianapolis.
One of the teams he was working with at the time was the University of Louisville. When Louisville coach Arthur Albiero had an opening on his coaching staff, he reached out to Wochomurka to see if he was interested.
Wochomurka didn’t hesitate.
“I went and did the interview. It certainly was an exciting opportunity at the time because it was a university and a program that was really in a phase of growth,” he said. “It was exciting to be a part of that program and help Arthur move that program up the ladder in terms of conference and NCAA rankings.”
Wochomurka moved up the coaching ranks at Louisville, being named associate head coach and men’s recruiting coordinator before eventually leaving to take over as head coach at Houston in 2015.
During his tenure at Houston, Wochomurka led the Cougars to five straight women’s American Athletic Conference Championships. He was named the AAC Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year every year from 2017-2021.
Wochomurka said he’s looking forward to the opportunity to lead at his alma mater.
“The team that we have, the student-athletes that we have are not only talented in the pool, but are just phenomenal people,” he said. “In speaking with them already, the desire that they have, the desire from our incoming classes to move the program in a direction to where what we’re looking at from a conference and NCAA standings standpoint is certainly on an upward trajectory.”
