CARBONDALE -- Johno Fergusson is receiving a promotion to associate head coach of the SIU Salukis swimming and diving team. Head coach Geoff Hanson made the announcement Saturday in a press release.

During his first four years as an assistant coach at SIU, Fergusson has played an instrumental role in the Salukis' success helping them record a 45-19 dual meet record as well as three conference runner-up trophies. In 2023, the program featured its first All-American swimmer in 18 years. Academically, both the men's and women's teams earned national recognition from the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) for their academic success.

"Johno has proven himself to be an indispensable asset to SIU Swimming & Diving over the past four years," Hanson said. "He is loyal, hard-working, and dedicated. His tireless work in recruiting has resulted in the program being elevated on the national stage. His knowledge and attention to detail as a coach have helped numerous student-athletes improve dramatically. I look forward to many more seasons of continued success with him on the staff."

Fergusson has 20 years of coaching experience. Prior to SIU, he spent four years as an assistant swimming coach at Scottsdale Aquatic Club in Arizona, where he helped lead the program to first-place finishes at Winter Junior Nationals in 2015 and 2016. 

Prior to Scottsdale Aquatic Club, Fergusson spent four years (2011-14) as the head coach at Tucson Ford Aquatics in Arizona. He was named the Arizona Swimming Senior Coach of the Year in 2013 and developed 10 Olympic trials qualifiers, three Junior National finalists, three Arizona state record holders, and four senior state championship-winning teams. 

Fergusson also served as a volunteer assistant at the University of Arizona (2011-14) and Arizona State (2015-16), where he worked under legendary swim coaches Eric Hansen and Bob Bowman.

His first head coaching stint came with the Sunday Tribune Penguins Swimming Club in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa from 2005 to 2011. He coached several world record athletes, national champions, national finalists, and national record holders from Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi. Additionally, he mentored national age group medalists and FINA World Cup finalists. 

A native of South Africa, Fergusson represented his home country internationally in both swimming and water polo. 

Fergusson earned his bachelor's degree in human kinetics from the University of Natal in 2005 and currently resides in Carbondale with his wife, Maggie.