Paul Blair (swimming)

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Coach Blair

Coach Paul Blair, born in 1949 and died on November 8, 2006, of complications from prostate cancer. Obituary

Paul Barr "Coach" Blair was a famous swim coach who specialized in sprint training. He was known for the many sprinters he trained to the highest level of swimming competition. Blair was one of the first coaches to emphasize that in order to sprint, you must practice sprinting. In fact, most sprint coaches today have based their swim workouts on Blair's method. Coach Blair has trained many notable swimmers, including John Hargis (Olympic gold medalist), Steve Crocker, Doug Boyd, Kicker Vencill, Matt Weghorst, Bobby O'Bryan, Tom Genz, Noel Strauss, and Manuel Twillie.

Blair was known around the world for his sprinting methods, which became apparent through the accomplishments of his swim team, the Arkansas Dolphins, based in Little Rock, Arkansas. Blair led the Dolphins to a men's U.S. Open title in 1988 and then a men's National title in 1989 in less than ten years as head coach, thus proving that, "If you can win a national title from Little Rock, Arkansas, you can win one from anywhere."

Blair was the head coach and owner of the Arkansas Dolphins. He was also Associate Head Coach for the UALR Trojans Women's Swim Team.

Coach Blair was an honored coach dedicated to teaching his swimmers. His swimmers looked up to him as a mentor, and his spirit lives on in the swimming world as an inspiration.

In the fall of 2006, his health declined, but his spirit and attitude never changed. After a three year battle with prostate cancer, Coach Blair died on the morning of November 8, 2006. His words of encouragement will always be remembered.

Coach Blair is survived by his wife, Mary Dawn, and three daughters, Shawna, Marissa, and Lindann.

He served on the Olympic International Operations Committee and is past Vice-President of the American Swim Coaches Association. He served as the Head Coach for the USA World Championship team, as coach for the National Junior Team at the Youth Olympic Festival, and as men's coach at the World University Games. He was a Nike Advisory Coach and USA National Team Coach.