Southern Cal's Mark Schubert named U.S. women's 2004 Olympics coach

LOS ANGELES (AP) Southern Cal swim coach Mark Schubert was selected Monday to lead the U.S. women's team at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

Texas swim coach Eddie Reese was selected as the U.S. men's coach.

``These are two of our premier coaches,'' said Chuck Wielgus, USA Swimming executive director. ``They have a wealth of experience and are perfectly suited to lead our athletes.''

It will be Schubert's third Olympics as a U.S. head coach and his seventh consecutive Olympic coaching position. His men's and women's teams at USC have placed 28 swimmers on Olympic teams during his 32-year coaching career.

His Olympic teams have won 18 gold medals and eight silver medals. The U.S. men's 2000 Olympics team under Schubert won 17 medals, including seven gold.

``I was really shocked but very happy,'' Schubert said. ``This women's team is going to be spectacular. I'm excited to be part of it.''

USA Swimming national team selection committee members choose Olympic head coaches. Schubert and Reese will select their assistants at the 2004 U.S. Olympic trials July 7-14 in Long Beach, Calif.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)