Stanford University has appointed Chris Lindauer as the new Paul A. Violich Director of Women’s Swimming, making him the eighth head coach in the program’s history. His announcement came on Thursday afternoon, signaling a new chapter for the 12-time national champion team.
Lindauer steps into this role following the resignation of Greg Meehan, who departed after a successful 13-year tenure to serve as the National Team managing director for USA Swimming. During Meehan’s leadership, the program secured three consecutive NCAA championships from 2017 to 2019 and achieved an impressive 87-7 record in dual meets.
In recent years, Lindauer has been at the helm of both the men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs at Notre Dame. Under his guidance, the men’s team reached a historic high, finishing 10th at the 2024 NCAA Championships. Throughout his coaching career, Lindauer has overseen athletes who have won 10 individual NCAA titles and garnered 95 All-America honors. He has also played a pivotal role in the development of 13 Olympians and was recently selected as an assistant coach for the U.S. Olympic team in 2024.
Prior to his time at Notre Dame, Lindauer spent 13 seasons at the University of Louisville, progressing to the role of associate head coach. During his tenure there, the Cardinals achieved remarkable simultaneous top-five finishes at the NCAA Championships in 2019 and clinched their first ACC men’s championship in 2021. A Louisville alumnus himself, Lindauer enjoyed a successful swimming career, claiming four Big East titles before graduating in 2008.
Against the backdrop of this transition, Stanford’s women’s swimming roster will benefit from the return of 76.7 percent of the individual points that contributed to a runner-up finish at the 2025 NCAA Championships, trailing only Virginia. Among the returning talent is Olympic gold medalist Torri Huske. This continuity within the roster will be crucial as the program adapts to its recent move to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
Lindauer’s hiring will become official following the completion of a background check.
