Tucson, Ariz.- Arizona Swimming & Diving Head Coach Ben Loorz announced the hiring of Assistant Coach Kevin Blum, who comes to the University of Arizona from the University of Hawai'i. 

Blum joins the Wildcats in Tucson with extensive experience coaching in both the United States and Australia. He served as an assistant coach at Boston College from 2019-2021 before joining Hawaii's coaching staff in 2022. 

"Ben has put together a staff with amazing experience and energy. I am grateful and excited to say 'Go Cats!'" Blum said.

Student-athletes competing under Blum's supervision saw great success; in his first year at Hawai'i, Blum played an instrumental role in leading the Rainbow Wahine to a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation title in 2022-23. 

Blum helped guide the men's and women's programs to break 15 school records from 2022-2024.

Before coaching at a collegiate level, Blum coached club swimming for nearly 20 years. Blum coached athletes to the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympic Trials and to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. He also coached athletes to break Junior National meet records in 2008 and 2010 and qualified athletes to represent the USA at the Junior Pan-Pacs, short course World Championships and World University Games.

"Coach K is a seasoned veteran. I love the fact that he has had success in both the club realm and the college realm," Loorz said. "It gives him great depth, and he's a great technician as well. I'm excited to see him thrive here at Arizona."

Blum has received numerous accolades during his coaching career. Blum was named to the coaching staff for the United States at the 2013 World University Games and was honored with the Victorian Open Water Coach of the Year award for 2015 in Australia.

In addition to these honors, Blum was also a recipient of the American Swim Coaches Award of Excellence for three straight years (2010, 2011, 2012).

Blum swam collegiately at California State University Northridge, where he received his Bachelor's degree in Recreation Management in 2003.