MIAMI – FIU Athletics has announced that head swimming and diving coach Randy Horner has signed a contract extension, keeping him at the helm of the Panthers program through the 2027-2028 season.
 
"I appreciate the commitment to our long-term vision for the program that this extension represents," Horner said. "The future is bright for FIU Swimming and Diving, and I'm proud to continue leading this team. Our program has come a long way since I joined FIU over 14 years ago, and we are far from finished."
 
Horner's tenure at FIU has been marked by remarkable success since taking over the program in 2010. This past season, he led the Panthers to their first-ever American Athletic Conference (AAC) Championship, continuing a legacy of dominance that includes a Conference USA (CUSA) record of eight consecutive titles from 2015 to 2022 before FIU's transition to the AAC in 2023.
 
Under Horner's 15 seasons at the helm, the Panthers have made 13 consecutive NCAA Championship appearances, the longest active streak among non-Power Five programs.
 
He has been named AAC Coach of the Year and earned Conference USA Coach of the Year honors seven times.
 
Additionally, Horner has coached 10 conference Swimmers of the Year and eight Divers of the Year. His accolades also include being named the CSCAA National Invitational Championship Coach of the Year twice and the Sun Belt Coach of the Year once.
 
During the 2023-24 season, FIU secured its ninth conference championship in 10 years, claiming the AAC title with 778.5 points and 18 medals, including seven golds – the most out of any program that competed. Horner was named AAC Coach of the Year for his efforts.
 
Swimmer Christie Chue and diver Paige Burrell also represented the Panthers at the NCAA Championships this past March, continuing FIU's strong presence on the national stage.
 
Horner's influence extends internationally, having coached five Olympians, including recent Paris 2024 qualifiers Oumy Diop and Nicole Frank.
 
The program has also excelled academically, earning Academic All-America Team honors for 14 consecutive years.
 
The team posted a 3.65 GPA during the last academic year, reflecting a commitment to excellence both in the pool and in the classroom.
 
FIU recently wrapped up midseason competition at the Purdue Invitational, earning a second-place finish—the program's highest at the event since 2019.

UP NEXT
FIU prepares for the CSCAA Open Water National Championships on Sunday, Dec. 15 from the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Center at 10 a.m.

The Panthers then roll into meet action the following day on Monday, Dec. 16, taking on the Marshall Thundering Herd at 4 p.m. from the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Center

BAPTIST HEALTH
Presented by Baptist Health, The Official Sports Medicine Provider of FIU Athletics

SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram (@FIUMSwimDive), Twitter (@FIUSwimDive), and Facebook (Facebook.com/FIUSwimmingAndDiving) for all the latest Swimming and Diving news.
 
General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.