Arizona State has rounded out its teaching employees for the upcoming season with the addition of former Penn State assistant Austin Pillado on Sunday.
The Solar Devils additionally introduced that former volunteer assistant Sam Iida earned a promotion to assistant coach after the NCAA did away with volunteer assistants over the offseason. As a substitute, mixed packages are now allowed two additional paid positions for a complete of eight full-time coaches.
Iida got here to Tempe final season after swimming collegiately for rival College of Arizona from 2017-21. He was an All-American honorable point out in 2021 as a member of the Wildcats’ 400 medley relay workforce. Iida additionally coaches on the Gold Medal Swim Membership within the East Valley.
“Sam did an important job as our volunteer coach final 12 months and we’re excited that he’s again as an assistant this season,” head coach Bob Bowman mentioned. “He has the important thing attribute of profitable coaches, the sturdy need to study and enhance. He has a brilliant future on this occupation.”
Pillado spent the final two years as an assistant at Penn State, the place he labored primarily with dash freestylers and breaststrokers. This previous season, he helped coach Victor Baganha to an All-American end within the 100 fly, marking this system’s first in that occasion in twenty years.
“Austin is without doubt one of the high younger coaches within the nation and has confirmed recruiting expertise,” Bowman mentioned. “He brings a singular vibe to the workforce and shall be an enormous asset for ASU shifting ahead.”
Previous to Penn State, Pillado served as an assistant coach at Saginaw Valley State (2020-21) and as a volunteer assistant coach at Texas A&M (2017-20). The Aggies captured two SEC titles and broke eight faculty data throughout his three years on employees.
Pillado additionally helped coach the Swedish nationwide workforce on the European Championships final August. His function at Penn State was crammed by former Baylor College coach Dan Flack earlier this week.
“I’m extremely honored & excited to get to work with the Solar Devils,” Pillado mentioned. “I’d wish to thank Bob and the remainder of the dynamic teaching employees for this distinctive alternative. After studying what ASU and the athletic division are all about, I knew that is the place to be. I’m wanting to get to work with the student-athletes and make some massive issues occur for ASU. Forks up!”
Pillado and Iida be a part of fellow assistants Derek Schmitt, Logan Hirka, Alex Sherman, and affiliate head coach Herbie Behm on Bowman’s employees.
This shall be Arizona State’s final season within the Pac-12 earlier than the varsity joins the Huge 12 subsequent 12 months. The Solar Satan males are coming off their first Pac-12 title in class historical past.
