BYU head swimming coach John Brooks looked for familiar faces to fill the vacancies in his staff. The two new assistant coaches — Yolanda Bates and Deward Loose — will use strong BYU backgrounds to propel the team’s future.
“I am thrilled to have such an experienced coaching staff here at BYU,” Brooks said. “All our coaches have strong ties to BYU and it will be great to have them recruiting for our program.”
Bates and Loose will join current coaches Keith Russell and Shari Skabeland to complete the swimming and diving staff. Bates will work with stroke swimmers, and Loose will work with distance swimmers.
Bates swam breaststroke and individual medley at BYU. Originally from Mexico City, she was a member of Mexico’s national team from 1974 to 1980. Bates has coached youth swimmers in Logan since graduating from BYU in public relations in 1981. Many of Bates’ former high school students went on to swim for BYU, including four current team members.
Loose worked as a graduate assistant for distance swimmers from 2003-07 under recently retired coach Tim Powers. After graduating from BYU in 1987 with a degree in physical education, Loose coached the Lone Peak High School women’s swim team to three state championships. He also coached HAST, a club team that featured four swimmers who competed in recent Olympic Trials.
Both coaches will join the team for summer workouts before the season kicks off October 7.
