COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State University swimming and diving program is mourning the loss of a legendary coach.
The team announced that diving coach Ron O'Brien passed away earlier this week. He was 86.
O'Brien was a diver at Ohio State and captured the NCAA 1-meter title in 1959. He also competed on the gymnastics team.
He was the Buckeyes’ diving coach from 1964-78. During that time, Buckeye divers won five NCAA 1-meter titles and three 3-meter titles.
The diving well at the school is named in his honor.
O'Brien coached Olympic champion Greg Louganis and long-time Ohio State diving coach Vince Panzano. He served as a coach for Team USA at eight Olympic Games.
He was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1984.
After his retirement from coaching in 1996, O'Brien became the national technical director for USA Diving.
