The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford athletic department lost a great coach, but more importantly a great man, when swim coach, Ed Bahan, passed away unexpectedly Thursday afternoon.
"Pitt-Bradford Athletics lost a friend, colleague, and great coach in Ed Bahan. He loved his sport, his University, and most all he love his athletes," said Pitt-Bradford interim athletic director Bret Butler. "He exemplified what great college coach is. His influence reached beyond the pool, deep into the lives of the student athletes that he coached. His legacy will last forever – as a great teacher, coach, and man."
Coach Bahan had just begun his ninth season as head coach of the swimming programs.
"He lived a life of integrity, honor, and loyalty," said Mrs. Coach (Connie Bahan) "He instilled those qualities in everyone he touched."
He took over the program just two years after its inception and quickly transformed the culture of Pitt-Bradford swimming in August of 2007.
During his tenure, the Panthers broke every school record, establishing more than 200 records along the way. Four of his swimmers were tabbed as the AMCC Swimmer of the Year.
Bahan was named the men's and women's AMCC Coach of the Year five times, and he coached 46 all-conference performers.
Prior to joining Pitt-Bradford, Bahan served as the head swim coach at the Pittsburgh Tidalwaves Swim Club from 1999 to 2007. He was also an assistant swim coach and the head strength coach at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh from 1995 to 2002. Bahan helped guide the men's squad to a fourth-place finish at the 2002 NCAA Division II National Championships. He also served as the head coach at Plum (Pa.) High School from 1996 to 1999.
Originally from New Hampshire, Bahan was a five-time U.S. National competitor and a 1980 U.S. Olympic trial competitor. He was inducted into the Peddie School Hall of Fame on May 31, 2014 for his role on the 1979 boy's 200 medley relay team.
He received his bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Pittsburgh in 1984.
