Florida Tech Director of Athletics Jamie Joss announced Tony Marleneanu as the next head coach of the men's and women's swimming program on Thursday, August 29, 2024. Marleneau became the fourth head coach in program history.Â
In the 2024-25 season, Marleneanu coached the Florida Tech men's seventh swimmer to reach All-American status, Efe Ongoren. Under Marleneanu, Ongoren placed 9th in the 500 Free with a school record time of 4:23.00. The men's team would receive a season-high ranking of No. 25 while the women's team received votes twice in the 2024-25 season. Additionally, the men's team would defeat No. 17 Rollins on Jan. 10.
"We proudly welcome new head men's and women's swimming coach Tony Marleneanu and his family to Florida Tech," said Joss. "Tony's distinguished journey from an international athlete at the NCAA Division II level and in the professional swimming ranks to a successful head and assistant coach at Hendrix College has uniquely shaped his approach to coaching.
"His extensive experience and impressive track record of inspiring athletes to achieve record-breaking times, championships, academic success, and leadership roles on campus resonates deeply with our mission and vision.
"We are confident that Tony's passion for the sport and commitment to nurturing scholar-athletes will lead our teams to unprecedented success both in and out of the pool. We can't wait to see what the future holds under his leadership!"
Marleneanu joins the Panthers after spending five seasons at Hendrix College in Arkansas. The Romania native led the Warriors to a 22-15 overall record and 16 All-SAA swimmers.
"I am honored and tremendously excited about the opportunity to lead the Florida Tech Swimming Program," said Marleneau. "I would like to thank Mr. Joss and President Nicklow for their support and for entrusting me with this position.
Florida Tech is dedicated to excellence in education and research innovation, and we will strive to achieve excellence in the water, as well. I look forward to using my experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm to create an environment where scholar-athletes can thrive. Go Panthers!"
During the 2023-24 campaign, Marleneanu guided Zane Shaner to a school record 22.86 in the 50-yard Butterfly and an All-SAA Honorable Mention in the 200 Butterfly.
The season prior, he coached two Warriors to six school records and another record for their 400 free relay. One of those Warriors, Cece Worth, claimed the records in 200 free, 500 free, 10000 free, and 1650 free. Worth also earned All-SAA First Team honors.
The team's best season under Marleneanu was 2021-22, going 6-2. The Warriors 800 free relay also swam a 7:08.09 for another school record. In 2020-21, Marleneanu coached Paxton Higgerson and Oli Steven-Assheuer to All-SAA Honorable Mention.
In his first season, Marleneanu was named SAA Men's Coach of the Year and broke 33 school records on the men's side and nine program records by the women.
Prior to Hendrix, Marleneanu was the head swimming coach at Sacred Heart High School from 2015 to 2019. He was also the CEO and head swim coach for The AquaKids INC. from 2012 to 2018.
From 2010 to 2012, he gained valuable experience coaching at Northwest Arkansas Aquatics and RAC AquaHawgs.
Marleneanu began his coaching career as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Henderson State, in August 2009.
Marleneanu swam for the Red Wave for four seasons from 2006-10. He earned NCAA All-American honors in 2009 and All-Academic Team honors from 2007-09. He graduated with a degree in business administration.
After graduating from Athletic High School in Constanta, Romania, Marleneanu was a member of the Romanian National Team at the ILS World Championships in Viareggio, Italy, in 2004.
