Daniella Irle to Lead Tulane Women's Swim Program
Oct 25, 2002 | Women's Swimming and Diving
Oct. 16, 2002
NEW ORLEANS - Daniella Irle, who has spent the last 10 years as the head swimming and diving coach at Fresno State University, has been named head coach of the new Tulane University women's swimming and diving program, slated to begin competition in 2003-04, Green Wave Director of Athletics Rick Dickson announced Wednesday.
Irle, who was born in New Orleans and raised in Texas, has led the Bulldogs to an impressive 93-33 dual meet record since 1992, and her Fresno State swimmers have broken every school record during her tenure. She has had 15 student-athletes qualify for the NCAA Championships.
"We're very pleased to attract a coach of Daniella's caliber to build our women's swimming and diving program," Dickson said. "Her credentials are impeccable; she has extensive experience, and her student-athletes have a record of success both in the pool and in the classroom."
Irle's Fresno State teams have been strong academically, achieving a team grade point average of over 3.0 in each of the last 15 semesters dating back to 1994. The program was recognized as an Academic All-American team by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America in 2000-2001. In Fall 2001, the squad ranked 11th in the nation with a cumulative grade point average of 3.35, the highest semester mark in the history of the program.
Irle coached the men's and women's swimming programs at Fresno State until 1994, when the men's swimming program was eliminated. She then supervised the addition of a diving component to the women's swimming program. Before moving to Fresno, Irle spent one year as the assistant women's coach at Texas in 1991-92, when the Longhorns finished second in the NCAA Championships. She served as an assistant for the men's and women's programs at LSU from 1989-91.
"Not too many coaches get to take on the challenge of starting a new Division I program," Irle said. "I was so impressed with everyone I met at Tulane, especially (Associate Athletic Director) Megan Drucker and (Athletic Director) Rick Dickson. I felt like this was a great fit for me and a great fit for Tulane."
Irle's first order of business to sign her first recruiting class, as the Green Wave will begin competition in the fall of 2003. The 13-year collegiate coaching veteran is confident that her Tulane program will be competitive in Conference USA.
"We will be competitive in Conference USA and it won't take 10 years," Irle said. "I like Rick's attitude, which is to build it right with an emphasis on the student-athletes. I intend to hit the ground running."
Irle will begin her duties at Tulane November 1st.
Daniella Irle
Head Women's Swimming & Diving Coach
Tulane University
James Wilson Center
Ben Weiner Drive
New Orleans, LA 70118
Office Phone: 504-862-8236
Office Fax: 504-865-5512
E-Mail: dirle@tulane.edu
