Wisconsin Badgers

Head coach Jack Brown of the Wisconsin swimming and diving team names Johno (Johnathan) Fergusson as an assistant coach, announced by Brown. The 2025-26 season marks his first season with Wisconsin.

"Johno has a proven track record of building success — helping take SIU to new heights and guiding athletes all the way to the NCAA Championships, even at a mid-major school, said Badger head coach Jack Brown. "What really stood out in our conversations is Johno's commitment to the athletes he coaches. He's going to be a tremendous asset as we continue to grow our program here in Madison. We're thrilled to welcome Johno, Maggie, and their boys, George and Henry, to the Badger family!"

Fergusson comes to Wisconsin with a years of coaching experience. He has 20 plus years in the coaching field and recently has served as the associate head coach at Southern Illinois (SIU) and has been with SIU for six years. He was promoted as an assistant in 2019, and in 2023 Fergusson was promoted as the associate head coach for the Saluki's. 

Prior to SIU he spent four years as an assistant swimming coach at Scottsdale Aquatic Club in Arizona, where he helped lead the program to first place finishes at Winter Junior Nationals in 2015 and 2016. He also served as a volunteer assistant at the University of Arizona (2011-2014) and Arizona State (2015-16), where he worked under swim coaches Eric Hansen and Bob Bowman.

A native of South Africa, Fergusson's first coaching stint came with the Sunday Tribune Penguins Swimming Club in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (2005-2011). There, he coached several world record athletes, national champions, national finalists and national record holders from Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi. Additionally, he mentored national age group medalists and FINA World Cup finalists.

Fergusson is married to Maggie (Meyer), Wisconsin Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2021. Maggie was on the Badgers swimming team from 2008-2011 where she was Wisconsin's first women's NCAA champion, winning the 2011 NCAA title in 200-yard backstroke. Also during her time at UW, Meyer's accolades include; 11-time First Team All-America; seven-time Honorable Mention honors, 2011 Big Ten Conference Swimmer of the Year, 10-time Big Ten Champion, 16-time All-Big Ten honoree, and was a U.S. National Team member from 2009-2010.