Sept. 10, 2008
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Aaron Mahaney, formerly an assistant coach at the University of Hawai'i, has been named assistant coach of the Penn State men's and women's swimming and diving programs, head coach John Hargis announced today.
Mahaney joins Dave Griffore and Liz Klink as new assistants for the 2008-09 season.
"Mahaney brings a great knowledge for distance swimming," Hargis said. "He's a young guy who is hungry and thirsty for knowledge."
Mahaney served as the assistant coach at Hawai'i since the 2005-06 season. While at Mānoa, Hawai'i, he coached distance freestyle, butterfly and individual medley events. He was also responsible for recruiting for both men's and women's teams, as well as establishing travel arrangements. Hawai'i tied Penn State for 23rd overall at the NCAA Championships last season
A graduate of Michigan State University, Mahaney holds a bachelor's degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in sports psychology. While at East Lansing, Mich., Mahaney was a four-year letter winner for the Spartans, Freshman of the Year and 2002's Most Valuable Performer. He competed in the 2000 and 2004 Swimming Olympic Trials.
Before moving to Hawai'i, Aaron was the head intramural swim coach at the University of Georgia in 2004-05. During that time, he also taught as a physical education substitute teacher at the Clark County School District.
Mahaney began his coaching experience in his hometown of Easton, Pa., where he was an assistant coach at Lafayette College for two years. He conducted workouts for Division I swimming and worked individually with Leopard swimmers.
"Aaron has great contacts and uses his peers nationwide to learn," said Hargis. "He's a Pennsylvania guy who knows the state well and should be a valuable tool in recruiting."
Aaron is a two-time swimming scholastic All-American. He is a registered coaching member of USA Swimming.