Imagine stepping into a leadership role just as one of the most iconic athletes in history calls for radical change within your organization. That’s exactly where Kevin Ring finds himself as the new CEO of USA Swimming. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can a leader with no swimming background truly steer the organization toward the systemic overhaul it desperately needs? And this is the part most people miss—Ring’s fresh perspective might just be the game-changer USA Swimming has been searching for.
Just a month before Ring took the helm, Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian ever, released a scathing statement demanding systemic change within USA Swimming. This came on the heels of a tumultuous period for the organization, marked by a disappointing performance at the World Aquatics Championships due to illness and a year-long search for a new CEO. With the 2028 Olympics looming in Los Angeles—an event Regan Smith, an eight-time Olympic medalist, bluntly described as an opportunity ‘we can’t mess up’—the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Smith, who has been vocal about her desire for a hands-on, change-driven leader, seems cautiously optimistic about Ring. ‘We were stagnant for a year, and now we’re starting to put some plans in motion,’ she said. ‘It’s kind of putting me at ease.’ Ring’s background in golf, another niche sport, has also caught her attention. She hopes his experience can help create more revenue opportunities for elite swimmers, not just the top stars, to keep them in the sport.
Ring’s approach so far has been refreshingly transparent. He’s made a point to be visible, attending key events like the U.S. World Cup stops and the U.S. Open in Austin, Texas, where he’s mingled with athletes like Caeleb Dressel, Bobby Finke, and Smith herself. ‘I want to make sure they know I’m aware, I care about who they are, and I care about their success,’ he said. This level of engagement is a stark contrast to what Smith experienced in the past, where she often felt leadership was out of touch.
But here’s the bold question: Can Ring’s outsider perspective truly bridge the gaps within USA Swimming? His lack of swimming experience has raised eyebrows, but he sees it as an advantage. ‘It gives me the ability to ask a lot of ‘why’ questions,’ he explained. He’s leaned heavily on swimming experts, from coaches to board members, and has already initiated conversations with athletes like Smith, who praised his brutal honesty. ‘It was just refreshing to hear Kevin be like, ‘OK, we’re cutting the BS, and what do we suck at, and what do we not suck at, and how could we get to a better place?’’ she said.
USA Swimming’s recent struggles are hard to ignore. The organization’s grip on the medal count has slipped, with Australia closing the gap significantly in recent years. Smith points to poor planning, like the red-eye flight U.S. swimmers took before the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka, as examples of leadership failures. Ring’s hiring of Greg Meehan, a longtime Stanford coach, as national team managing director, and Cory Hilliard, a CFO with college sports experience, signals his commitment to addressing these issues.
And this is the part most people miss: Ring is also reaching out to Phelps, whose past criticisms fell on ‘deaf ears.’ While their initial conversation remains private, Ring is clear: ‘I want him to be as involved as he thinks makes sense.’ Whether this olive branch will mend fences remains to be seen, but it’s a step in the right direction.
The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles are a ‘gift of a lifetime,’ Ring says, and he’s determined to capitalize on the opportunity. His goals are twofold: support athletes to the fullest and grow the sport by getting more people in the pool. But will it be enough? As USA Swimming stands at a crossroads, the world is watching—and so are the athletes.
What do you think? Can Kevin Ring’s outsider perspective and transparent leadership style truly transform USA Swimming? Or is the organization’s need for change too deep-rooted for one person to fix? Let us know in the comments below!
