University Southern California Trojans
Salo Inducted Into ASCA Coaches Hall Of Fame
September 10, 2010 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Sept. 10, 2010
USC swimming head coach Dave Salo joined join Jack Baurele, Bob Bowman, Jerry Holtrey and David Marsh as 2010 inductees into the American Swimming Coaches Association Hall of Fame at the ASCA's Annual Awards Banquet in Indianapolis last Saturday (Sept. 4).
Salo, who has mentored numerous Olympic and World Championships medalists, All-Americans and NCAA champions during a career that has spanned more than 25 years, credited his parents for instilling him the virtues that helped him succeed in life.
"My mom is ill and my father can't remember who I am. But they are my pride and joy. They taught me the hard work that goes into [success], determination, passion," Salo told the banquet audience. "My dad has Alzheimer's. He used to say from time to time 'how's your team doing?' He can't do that now. But they are my heroes [his parents]. They taught me passion."
Salo also credited former USC legendary coach Peter Daland, who Salo worked for as a Trojan assistant coach early in his career.
Among the Olympic medalists that Salo has coached are Rebecca Soni, Ous Mellouli, Larsen Jensen, Aaron Peirsol, Jason Lezak, Lenny Krayzelburg, Stacianna Stitts, Colleen Lanne, Amanda Beard and Gabe Woodward. Current swimmer Katinka Hosszu was a 2010 World Championships gold medalist.
Salo guided USC's women's swimming and diving team to a seventh-place finish at the 2010 NCAA Championships and the men to 11th place. Both programs are on the rise after back-to-back recruiting classes ranked among the top in the country.
Salo began his coaching career under Daland from 1985-1990 before beginning a hugely successful run as the head coach at Irvine Novaquatics from 1990-2006.
He has also held several national posts, including head coaching assignments for the United States at the 2005 World Championships (men) and the 2001 Goodwill Games (men). His assistant coaching duties for the U.S. include the 2004 Olympics (men), 2003 World Championships (men and women), 2002 Pan Pacific Championships (men), 2000 Olympics (women) and the 1999 Pan American Games (women).
Players Mentioned
