A&M's Steve Bultman headed for retirement following 2024 Olympics

After 25 years in Aggieland, Texas A&M women's swimming and diving head coach Steve Bultman will retire at the end of the current Olympic cycle. On Tuesday's edition of TexAgs Radio, Bultman spoke about that decision while providing an update on this year's team.

Key notes from Steve Bultman interview

• This is my 25th year. This is an Olympic year. I had made some promises to swimmers and coaches that I would get through this Olympic cycle, which is a big thing for a number of swimmers. I had a cancer scare last year, so I thought it was better to retire sooner rather than later.
   
• I've been doing this as long as I have because I love it and enjoy helping swimmers reach their goals. I wrestled with this decision. I had a few second thoughts.
   
• We have SECs next week and NCAAs three or four weeks later. Then we have the Olympic trials and the Olympics. There is still some excitement to come.
   
• I've been pleased with this year. We already have eight swimmers qualified for NCAAs as well as some relays. We have some people that can score at the NCAA meet. Joslyn Oakley, one of our divers, has been diving great all year. The team is pretty fired up and ready to go.
   
• Oakley has done well. She went to the World Championships for USA Diving. She'll be a big help as well.
   
• Chloe Stepanek has done well. Our distance group has two girls already qualified for NCAAs. We have two freshmen and a transfer who have already qualified as well. There are some pretty exciting things.
   
• We work our swimmers pretty hard, but now, especially those girls and swimmers who are not qualified yet, this is their rest and their meet that we're hoping they qualify for. The SEC meet is so exciting. They get fired up and swim well at that meet.
   
• Olivia Theall was off to a phenomenal start last year and, unfortunately, got a concussion. She never got back to where she was, but she started well this season and has maintained it. Abby Grottle is another one. She transferred after her freshman year. She wasn't an NCAA qualifier as a sophomore, but she went last year and has picked up some Olympic trial cuts.
   
• The SMU meet went well. They recognized the seniors and everything. It was good.
   
• We knew we had potential. Thankfully, people have been staying healthy – knock on wood. I'm excited to see what we're going to do.
   
• Don't overthink. Just relax, have fun and race. Don't think outcome. Have your plan on how you're going to race, and get out there and do it.