Dale Schultz was named diving coach for the University of Arkansas swimming and diving team, head swim coach Jeff Poppell announced on Wednesday.

Schultz served as the interim diving coach for the past two months, and in that short time led junior diver Madison Palmer to All-America status with a 16 th-place finish on the one-meter springboard at the NCAA Championship. Palmer became the eighth All-American coached by Schultz at the U of A.

" We are ecstatic that Dale accepted our offer to come back permanently and be the head diving coach at Arkansas, " said Poppell. " Dale was arguably the most successful diving coach in our university's history, having developed SEC champions and numerous NCAA All-Americans. "

Schultz replaced Scott Reich as the Lady'Backs' diving coach in early March. Schultz helped Palmer finish fourth on the one-meter at the NCAA Zone Diving Meet in order to qualify for her performance at the NCAA Championship.

" I look forward to continuing the long tradition of diving at the University of Arkansas, " said Schultz. " With the returning athletes and incoming freshmen, we have the potential to do well at both the SEC and NCAA championships. "

Schultz served as the Lady'Backs' diving coach from the early 1990 s until his departure after the 1999-2000 season to enter private business.