STANFORD, Calif. - Longtime co-head coaches Lisa Posthumus and George Pogosov have announced their retirement, stepping down after over 45 years combined at the helm of the Stanford men's and women's fencing teams.
"Both Lisa and George brought great passion, dedication and care to their long coaching tenures, and will leave Stanford with decorated careers," said Bernard Muir, Stanford's Jaquish & Kenninger Director of Athletics. "I know I join many here at Stanford in thanking them for their many years of service and wishing them all the best in the future."
Posthumus concluded her 25th season at the helm of the program in 2024, having led Stanford to three Final Four finishes and 16 top-10 NCAA finishes. She compiled nine conference team titles and mentored 12 NCAA individual champions. Posthumus has coached at least 34 Cardinal fencers to 64 All-America honors. Her program boasts five Olympians and a 100 percent graduation rate. Uniquely, Posthumus is currently the only female coach to lead a men's varsity sport at Stanford.
"What I am most proud of are my student-athletes who have been the true force of this program," said Posthumus. "I am honored to have touched the lives of so many and had my life touched by them. That said, it is difficult but important for me to move on to a new chapter in my life and get back to my passion of growing the sport beyond the walls of college athletics."
Pogosov wrapped up his 21st season with the Cardinal in 2024 while also serving as head coach of the Cardinal Fencing Club. A native of Kiev, Ukraine, Pogosov won a gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics for the Unified Team in team sabre after capturing a silver in the same discipline at the 1988 Seoul Games while representing the Soviet Union. Pogosov adds those Olympic medals to his six World Championship titles and FIE Hall of Fame induction.
"I am proud to have had the opportunity to work at such a prestigious institution as Stanford University," said Pogosov.
The Cardinal won the MPSF Championships for the third straight season in 2024, with two individual conference champions.
Stanford will immediately begin a national search for a replacement.