Jack Bauerle has retired with seven NCAA titles to his name ©Getty Images

Aquatics coach Jack Bauerle has retired after 46 years at the University of Georgia, leaving behind a legacy where he won seven National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles during his tenure.

He has been the head coach of the women's swimming and diving team since 1979 and also took over the men's programme in 1983.

His coaching career started at the university three years before he became women's head coach, serving as assistant following his graduation.

Bauerle claimed all seven of his NCAA titles with the women's team, with his best achievement being three consecutive wins from 1999 to 2001.

He went on to win back-to-back titles in 2013 and 2014 too.

University of Georgia also won in 2005 and 2016.

From 1999 to 2016, their team finished in the top two in 15 of the 18 seasons, leading to him being named NCAA Coach of the Year seven times.

The team also claimed 12 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championship titles, with Bauerle named conference coach of the year on 16 occasions.

On the men's side, Bauerle was named the SEC Coach of the Year in 1992 and 1997 and got the team many runners-up positions at conference level.

The best performance at NCAA level was third.

Some of Jack Bauerle's achievements at the University of Georgia ©UGA
Some of Jack Bauerle's achievements at the University of Georgia ©UGA

"It is a bittersweet moment in Georgia Athletics history," said UGA director of athletics, Josh Brooks.

"Jack has been the foundation of unparalleled success of our men's and women's swimming and diving programme for half a century.

"While we will miss him on the pool deck, we know that Jack will always be a part of our athletics family, and I look forward to working with him in different capacities as an involved alumnus. 

"We wish him the very best in this next phase of his life."

At the time of his retirement, Bauerle was the longest-tenured coach in Georgian history and is tied with former Louisiana State University gymnastics coach D-D Breaux for the longest reign ever in the SEC.

He coached 62 men and 175 women to individual NCAA titles and was involved in the United States' Olympic set-up too, being named women's head coach for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Bauerle was also assistant women's coach at Sydney 2000 and the assistant men's coach for Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

He coached 87 athletes at collegiate level who went on to compete at the Olympics.