TEMPE, Ariz. -- The first time Bob Bowman addressed the Sun Devils swim team, he encountered a pair of reactions he hadn't foreseen: shock and awe.
"Once I got them to stop being afraid of me it was a lot easier," Bowman, said laughing.
When it comes to street cred, it's hard to imagine a college coach carrying more than Bowman. He was named Big Ten Coach of the Year twice (2007, 2008) while at Michigan. He led the Wolverines to top-eight national finishes all four years he was there, and he coached swimming icon Michael Phelps, who won 18 gold medals, two silvers and two bronze medals to become the most decorated athlete in Olympic history.
If that somehow weren't enough, Bowman was also named the U.S. Olympic men's coach earlier this month for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. It will be his fifth Olympics.
"I think the kids were excited but also a little bit nervous, not knowing what to expect or how they would fit into a completely different way of doing things," said ASU assistant coach Misty Hyman, a decorated Olympic swimmer in her own right after winning gold in the 200-meter butterfly at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. "Bob brings so much experience to the table, and experience at the highest level. Even for myself, the benefit of that is really such a unique opportunity."
Bowman was named ASU's coach in March and immediately got to work altering the culture into one of purpose, preparation and expectation. He helped push through a major renovation to the tank at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center to make it certifiable to host major events, and the offices and lobby at Mona Plummer have been completely refurbished.
"All of our All-Americans and national champions are highlighted," he said. "It's our front door so it’s the first thing people are going to see; the first impression of us they’re going to get."
Bowman admits it will take a couple years of recruiting before he can get the program where he wants it, but he has been pleasantly surprised with the talent level and commitment of the current student-athletes.
"We'll build a program that contends for championships on every level, on a consistent basis, and through that, we will build great people," he said. "One of the reasons I felt so compelled to get back into college is that I see myself as an educator. My classroom may be outdoors in 50 meters of water, but I do feel the impact we can have on young people at this time in their lives is important and there's no better education or training than pursuing excellence in a chosen field."
When Phelps retired in 2012 (he came out of retirement in 2014), Bowman decided he needed a new challenge and started researching universities because he had enjoyed his time at Michigan.
"When this came up, I started doing my homework on (athletic director) Ray Anderson and I loved (President Michael) Crow's vision for ASU," Bowman said. "I had already been here several times. I knew they had great facilities and great weather. It was a total package and the timing was right."
Bowman isn't concerned that his Olympic duties will interfere with his coaching duties at ASU.
"I think it really goes hand in hand with what I'm already doing," he said. "What this new role brings to the table is just a lot more planning. It's really not a lot more time commitment; just brain time."
Bowman has an elite array of coaches around him.
Head diving coach Mark Bradshaw has produced four NCAA individual diving champions, 48 All-American honorees and 25 Pac-12 titles. He was named NCAA Diving Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2005.
Hyman is a national icon who swam locally at Phoenix Shadow Mountain High School. Bowman calls sprint coach Ryan Mallam a rising star, and assistant Dan Kesler has been with the program four years. Phelps doesn't have a formal role with the team but that could change in the future. His mere association helps the program's profile, as does Bowman's new Olympic gig.
"I had a lot of responses immediately after the announcement," Bowman said. "There has long been the recognition that ASU had the potential for greatness but now we're trying to transform from potential to actual."
ASU will hold an intra-squad meet on Friday. The men will open their season on Oct. 3 against Pacific in Stockton, California. The women open the same day against Oregon State in Corvallis.