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After the London Olympics, Bob Bowman thought it was time to try something new. He was feeling just like his most famous pupil, Michael Phelps.
"Actually," Bowman said, "I really didn't think I would come back to coaching."
Yet there he was, ready to take up his familiar position on deck, as the US swimming team arrived in Barcelona for the world championships. "I realised this is probably what I should be doing," Bowman said with a chuckle.
While Phelps retired after the London Games, having won all 18 of his gold medals with Bowman at his side, the coach who moulded the most successful Olympian did some consulting work for several countries, including China, before returning in May to what he does best.

He will be coaching the American men in Barcelona, where the pool swimming at the worlds begins today.
Bowman is coy about reports that Phelps is planning a comeback of his own, just in time for the 2016 Rio Games.
"There have been no secret training sessions," the coach said. "I don't know what he's doing. I haven't seen any indications thus far. When I see it, then I'll believe it. But not yet."
As for Bowman, he has found that life after Phelps does have its advantages. For one thing, he has received queries from top swimmers around the world, all interested in picking his brain for training tips or to work with him at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club. Just a month ago, French star Yannick Agnel joined Bowman's training group.
"I don't know about the mastermind part," Bowman quipped. "I was just lucky to be in the right place at the right time with Michael. But I have had some interest. I'm pretty selective about it. Yannick adds a lot to our programme."
Also, Bowman finds it easier to get around without negotiating the rock-star treatment Phelps required no matter where he went.
"Anywhere I used to travel with Michael, it was like an adventure," the coach said. "You had to try to get the logistics done to keep him from being hounded too much, to do things like get a [practice] lane where people weren't trying to steal his water. A lot of things like that I don't miss."
Certainly, he misses seeing Phelps around the pool every day. Even through there were plenty of screaming matches between the two, they forged a unique partnership that was almost more like father and son than coach and athlete. They remain close friends and business partners, a relationship that figures to last a long time no matter what Phelps decides to do.
Even if Phelps does not come back, Bowman has rediscovered the thrill of coaching. There have been some successes - Conor Dwyer and Chase Kalisz both made the US team - and some disappointments, most notably the shocking failure of Allison Schmitt, a three-time gold medallist in London, to even make the squad for Barcelona.

"I'm surprised at how much it feels the same," Bowman said. "When I went to Indianapolis [for the national championships last month], I was excited to watch my kids swim, just like I was excited to watch Michael swim. It's the same feeling. There's not any difference when they do well or they do poorly. It's the same process. It's just different people."
Bowman worked as a consultant after the London Games, advising nations such as Great Britain, Turkey and China on their swimming programmes. The new gig helped him recharge his coaching batteries and provided some valuable insight on new ways to do things.
"It was really fun," he said. "I love going to different countries and I really enjoyed working with other federations, just kind of learning how swimming operates in other parts of the world. It's very different than it is in the US."
The consulting job helped Bowman form a partnership with the rapidly emerging Chinese team, who appear poised to challenge US dominance at the upcoming Olympics.
Five Chinese swimmers have already been to North Baltimore to work with Bowman's team. More than two dozen are scheduled to come over in August for another 10 days of training, and Bowman envisions a long-term relationship.
For now, the US remains the team to beat at the world championships. Bowman expects another strong performance on the men's side, where three-time Olympian and reality television star Ryan Lochte is the most recognised name. But there are plenty of up-and-comers ready to make their mark. That includes a pair of 19-year-olds: Kalisz, who will compete in the 400 metre individual medley (one of Phelps' longtime events), and breaststroker Kevin Cordes.
On a personal level, Bowman is returning to the same city where Phelps emerged as a star at the 2003 world championships, becoming the only swimmer to break world records in different events on the same day and showing he was capable of handling the sort of gruelling programme that would eventually carry him to a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics.
"I have some really good memories," Bowman said.
Time to make some more.
"It's fun," he added, "to be back on deck."
Associated Press


Coach Bob Bowman back on deck to guide US men to victory in swimming world championships

Coach Bob Bowman at the US national championships last month. He took a nine-month sabbatical after the 2012 London Games that included consulting in China. Photo: NYT

Michael Phelps. Photo:AFP

Michael Phelps and coach Bob Bowman talk tactics before his race at London Games. Photo: AP

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Celebrated coach Bowman is at the helm of Team USA's world titles campaign, but others like China also may benefit from his wisdom


After the London Olympics, Bob Bowman thought it was time to try something new. He was feeling just like his most famous pupil, Michael Phelps. "Actually," Bowman said, "I really didn't think I would come back to coaching."


Coach Bob Bowman back on deck to guide US men to victory in swimming world championships

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Celebrated coach Bowman is at the helm of Team USA's world titles campaign, but others like China also may benefit from his wisdom

Celebrated coach Bowman is at the helm of Team USA's world titles campaign, but others like China also may benefit from his wisdom