Dan Lawson's background as a swimming coach spans 23 years at nearly every level of amateur swimming. During that time he has shown a love for teaching in addition to a love for his sport.

All of this makes him a perfect fit as an assistant to Tom Jager.

"I understand my weaknesses as a coach and Dan is the one that balances those weaknesses out," Jager said. "His is a very compassionate and great listener. Fortunately for the University of Idaho, we were able to get him on board."

Lawson is entering his fourth season with the Vandals after serving as an International Olympic Committee consultant at St. Lucia, West Indes.

In addition to varied experience that ranges from head coach to facility manager, Lawson arrived at Idaho familiar with the process of program-building, after he founded a swim academy in 2000 at St. Stephen's Episcopal School at Austin, Texas.

"In terms of program building, the strength of the Idaho women's swim team is the people involved," Lawson said.

Lawson was the head Pre-National coach at Texas Aquatics from 1995-99. His start in coaching was in 1985 at New Mexico State University, where he was an assistant for the men's and women's teams.

"Dan could be a head coach at any WAC school," Jager said. "He has worked very hard to educate the kids on how to set goals. It's important that kids set goals, follow their dreams and follow up on those goals. Dan is a great asset to this team."

Lawson received his Masters degree from Idaho in sports psychology. He is also the full-time pool manager at the UI Swim Center.