Congratulations to the Class of 2025

Ron Holihan | 1986-2010 | Lubbock ISD | Swim Coach & Aquatics Director | Boy's Swimming

After an outstanding career as a collegiate swimmer and as an assistant coach at Eastern Kentucky University, Ron Holihan was hired as the Head Swimming Coach at Texas Tech in 1979. In May of 1986, Tech dropped the swimming program, and Lubbock ISD Athletic Director Pete Ragus quickly hired Ron to be the new Lubbock ISD High School Swimming and Diving Coach for Coronado, Lubbock High, and Monterey. He would also be teaching a swimming program for seventh, eighth, and ninth graders. That began a 25-year career (1986-2010) during which Ron was the driving force behind the creation of what is now one of the most vigorous high school swimming and diving programs in the state of Texas.

When Ron began his tenure with Lubbock ISD, the teams worked out at the Dorothy Lomax Center, which was the old YMCA near O.L. Slaton Junior High. When Slaton and J.T. Hutchinson created teams, they were brought to the Lomax Center, and the high school workouts were moved to the outdoor aquatics center at Texas Tech. Coach Holihan encouraged the Lubbock ISD Administration to consider the building of a competitive swimming facility for the district. In 1992, he was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director, while continuing to coach morning and afternoon swim teams, serving as Coordinator of Health and Physical Education, and assisting with athletic events.

During this time, Coach Holihan served as a consultant for many pool construction projects and aquatic programs in Texas, including the future Lubbock ISD Aquatic Center. The construction of the new Aquatic Center began in April of 1997, and the new facility was dedicated on September 12, 1998, as the Pete Ragus Aquatic Center. Now our high school and junior high swimmers have their own state-of-the-art facility. In October 2000, Ron developed and implemented a 3rd grade water safety program in which 2300 third graders received in-class instruction on safety around the pool, swimming, and other points of water safety.

During his tenure with Lubbock ISD, Ron has received numerous awards for his coaching achievements. He was named the District 3-5A Swimming Coach of the Year from 1991 through 1998, and again in 2001. He was also Regional Coach of the Year in 1986 and 1995. In 2006, Ron was again honored for his accomplishments at Eastern Kentucky by being inducted into the inaugural Eastern Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2012, the Texas Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association awarded Ron with the Theron Pickle Award for Lifetime Achievement. Recipients are individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to high school swimming in Texas. Thanks to the tremendous effort of Ron Holihan, Lubbock ISD has a premier swimming and diving program with State Champions, team championships and the opportunity for many of our athletes to continue their swimming and diving careers at Division I schools.
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