MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin swimming and diving program is under new leadership.

Having established himself as one of college swimming's top young coaches during a decorated run as an assistant, Yuri Suguiyama was tabbed Tuesday to become the Badgers' new head coach.

"We're excited to bring Yuri to Madison," UW Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez said. "His track record as a coach speaks for itself, but he will also bring great energy to our program. His passion for the sport and the athletes he's coaching will only make us better."

Suguiyama, 35, comes to Madison after spending six years as associate head coach of the men's program at Cal, where he helped the Golden Bears to first- or second-place NCAA finishes in each of his seasons in Berkeley. That run included Cal's national title in 2014 and, most recently, a runner-up finish at the 2018 NCAA Championships.

"I am both excited and humbled to join the University of Wisconsin as the head coach of the men's and women's swimming and diving programs," Suguiyama said. "It has been a dream of mine to lead a program, and there's no better place to do so than at a school that has so much to offer, like Wisconsin.

"I want to thank Coach Alvarez and senior associate athletic director Marija Pientka for this opportunity. I'm looking forward to building upon the program's tradition by getting to know our current team, putting together an awesome staff and recruiting student-athletes of high character who are good fits for Wisconsin both academically and athletically. I can't wait to get started."

Including the 2018 team title, Suguiyama was part of three Pac-12 Conference championships at Cal and, at one point, helped the Bears put together a run of 28 consecutive dual meet wins.

In addition to his work with the Bears, Suguiyama has built an impressive international coaching resume. He was named special assistant to the national team director for Team USA at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and also served as an assistant coach for the American squads at the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships and 2015 World University Games.

Following his Olympic assignment, Suguiyama served as men's head coach for Team USA at the 2016 FINA Short Course World Championships.

Suguiyama's time at Cal was preceded by a six-year run as coach of Nation's Capital Swim Club in Washington, D.C., where he mentored then 15-year-old Olympic champion Katie Ledecky, who claimed gold in the 800-meter freestyle at the 2012 Olympics in London. She went on to win four more golds at the 2016 Games in Rio.

Himself a standout swimmer for Nation's Capital Swim Club, Suguiyama went on to compete collegiately at North Carolina, where he finished as the Tar Heels' record-holder in the 1000 and 1650-yard freestyle. He earned first-team All-America honors as a senior, in addition to being a three-year All-ACC selection.

Suguiyama graduated from North Carolina in 2004 with degrees in political science and economics.