May 27, 2004
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IOWA CITY, IA –
The University of Iowa Athletic Department has announced the hiring of Marc Long as its interim head women’s swimming coach and Frannie DeBord as his assistant. The announcement came today from Iowa’s Senior Associate Athletic Director Jane Meyer.
Long was an assistant for the men’s swimming team from 1998-2001 before joining the women’s team as an assistant coach. He helped the women achieve their first winning season in several years during the 2002-03 season. Long was a two-time Big Ten champion and NCAA finalist in the 100-yard butterfly before graduating from Iowa in 1990.
DeBord, also a Hawkeye graduate, lettered at Iowa from 1996-98. Debord comes to the Hawkeyes from Tulane University, where she helped start the swimming program. She helped lead the first-year team to a 13-3 dual record and 20 top eight finishes at the Conference USA meet. DeBord has helped coach at several other institutions, including Fresno State and Ohio University. DeBord was a volunteer assistant coach at Iowa (1999-2001) while completing her degree.
“We’re delighted to name Marc Long and Frannie DeBord our women’s swimming coaches,” said Meyer. “Marc has extensive experience in both our men’s and women’s programs. We feel fortunate to have someone with his Hawkeye background stepping into the top position for our women’s team. Frannie is a three-time letterwinner with Iowa and also served as a volunteer assistant for two years. She also knows what it means to be part of the Hawkeye team. That’s something important to all of us.”