Penn State announced the hiring of Dennis Ceppa as its new diving coach, according to an athletic department press release.

Ceppa comes to Penn State after serving four years at George Mason in the same position, where he led the Patriots to four straight CAA Conference titles. Ceppa will join new swimming and diving head coach Tim Murphy’s staff following the resignation of former head coach John Hargis in June.

“I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity of being with Tim during his inaugural season here at Penn State,” said Ceppa. “I cannot wait to get started and help our athletes make Penn State swimming and diving stronger than it has ever been.”

Ceppa’s divers have been successful in the diving well as of late.  At George Mason, he coached Derrick Butts to the NCAA Championships in 2012 and more recently, Amanda Burke to the 2012 Olympic Trials and 2013 World Championships at the Mason Dive Academy where he serves as its program director. Here’s hoping that Ceppa brings this type of success with him here to Penn State.