Updated 3/20/09

One of the longest tenured head coaches in the Colonial Athletic Association, John Hayman enters his 20th season as head coach of the University of Delaware men's and women's swimming and diving teams for the 2008-2009 season.

Since arriving at Delaware in 1989-90, Hayman's team have consistently battled for the conference title, winning four men's title and two women's crowns in America East action. His teams have placed in the top three at the conference meet a combined 22 times in 40 competitions.

Both his men's and women's teams completed successful seasons in 2007-08 as the Blue Hen men posted an 11-3 dual record and enjoyed their highest finish ever at the CAA meet with a third place finish. The Blue Hens led by record-setting freestyle sprinter Andrew Zinn, captured three CAA titles - the first titles won by the UD men since joining the league in 2001-02. For his efforts, Hayman was named the CAA Men's Swimming Co-Coach of the Year. The Delaware women went 12-5 in duals and placed sixth at the CAA meet.

Under his guidance, the Blue Hens built upon their success and continued to shine at the championship meet during the 2008-09 campaign. The men captured three CAA titles during the competition, highlighted by record-setting performances by Hans Gillan and the 400-freestyle relay team. Gillan set a new standard in the 100-butterfly, while the relay team smashed the previous conference record with a time of 2:57.73.

Not to be outdone, the women also finished strong, earning eight top-five finishes. Cortney Barry led the way, placing second in both the 500- and 1,650-freestyle events. The sophomore standout also reached the NCAA 'B' standard in both events while breaking the school record in each.

He led the Blue Hen women to consecutive America East team titles in 1996 and 1997 and led the UD men to an unprecedented streak of four conference crowns in 1997, 1998,1999, and 2000. He has coached 26 women's conference champions, including All-East freestyler Nancy Davis, and Sarah Peffer, who won seven Colonial Athletic Association titles in 2003 and 2004 and was named the 2004 CAA Outstanding Female Swimmer at the league meet. Peffer also was a provisional NCAA qualifier in the 1,650 freestyle in 2004. Maryann Walker captured the 200 backstroke title at the 2007 CAA meet.

Hayman has also coached 23 men's conference champions, including All-East breaststroke specialist Tom Maday. Maday's eight career America East conference individual titles in 1997-2000 is tied for the most ever by a UD male swimmer.

Hayman was named America East Coach of the Year six times, including four straight men's coach of the year honors in 1997-2000. In 19 years at Delaware, Hayman's dual meet record is 156-76 on the women's side and 109-114 on the men's side for a combined mark of 265-190 (.582).

Hayman, a certified level four swimming coach by the ASCA, came to Delaware after serving as head coach of the men's and women's squads at Gannon (PA) University. He led the women's team to a four-year record of 35-21-1 including 11-win seasons in 1986-87 and 1988-89 while the men posted a three-year mark of 19-15.

His overall coaching record is 192-97-1 in 24 seasons on the women's side and 128-129 in 23 seasons on the men's side for a combined mark of 320-226-1 (.586).

A 1981 health and physical education graduate of West Chester University, Hayman was a four-year letterwinner for the Rams, serving as captain of the team as a senior and setting seven school records.

After graduating from West Chester, Hayman went to Southern Illinois University where served as an assistant coach while earning his master's degree in physical education and biomechanics in 1983.

Hayman, a physical education instructor at Delaware, resides in Bear, DE with his wife Tamara and their four children.