The Next Wave Takes Shape: Jason Bowes Named Head Swimming Coach at IMG Academy

The Next Wave Takes Shape: Jason Bowes Named Head Swimming Coach at IMG Academy

Bowes brings three decades of experience building high-performance programs and developing student-athletes for collegiate, national and international competition

BRADENTON, Fla. (Aug. 17, 2026) – IMG Academy, the world's leading sports education brand, has announced Jason Bowes as the first Head Swimming Coach in program history, marking another major milestone in the development of IMG Academy Swimming ahead of its 2027 launch. Bowes brings nearly three decades of coaching and program leadership experience to IMG Academy.

Bowes joins IMG Academy after nearly two decades as Head Coach and Director of Operations for Tampa Bay Aquatics and Tampa Preparatory School Swim & Dive. Since 2007, he has led year-round competitive programs, guiding student-athletes to 15 state championships, more than 100 state medals and 120+ collegiate placements, while developing swimmers who have competed at Olympic Trials and national and international competitions.

“Jason brings the experience, leadership and athlete-first mindset we need as we build IMG Academy Swimming from the ground up,” said John Hargis, Director of Swimming at IMG Academy. “His track record speaks for itself, but what stood out most is his belief that our responsibility extends well beyond athletic performance. At IMG Academy, our purpose is to empower student-athletes to win their future, and Jason understands that means challenging them to grow as competitors, leaders and people.”

As the program's first head coach, Bowes will work alongside IMG Academy Director of Swimming and Olympic gold medalist John Hargis to establish the program's competitive identity, student-athlete development model and performance culture.

“Few opportunities in our sport allow you to build an elite swimming program from the ground up with this level of commitment already surrounding you and I am honored to be a part of it,” said Bowes. “We have an opportunity to develop exceptional athletes and young people. To be able to do that alongside John Hargis and the incredible people already at IMG Academy, with the resources and standards that exist here, makes the possibilities for this program truly exciting.”

IMG Academy announced swimming in November 2025, with Hargis named Director of Swimming in January 2026. Construction is underway on the program’s state-of-the-art Aquatic Center, scheduled to open in March 2027. Swimming camps will begin in summer 2027, followed by the boarding school program in fall 2027, with Bowes joining as the program’s first head coach to help build a comprehensive pathway from student-athlete development to elite training.

To learn more about Swimming at IMG Academy, please visit here.

About IMG Academy
holistic education model that empowers student-athletes to win their future, preparing them for college and for life. IMG Academy provides growth opportunities for all student-athletes through an innovative suite of on-campus and online experiences:

• Boarding school and camps, via a state-of-the-art campus in Bradenton, Fla.
• Online coaching via IMG Academy+, with a focus on personal development through the lens of sport and performance
• Online college recruiting, via NCSA and SportsRecruits, providing content, tools, coaching and access to a network of 40,000 college coaches

To learn more about IMG Academy and its on-campus and online experiences, visit www.imgacademy.com.