Olympic gold medalist and former UVa swimming standout Matt McLean has joined the Virginia swimming and diving staff as a volunteer assistant coach.

"He's a very upbeat, outgoing kind of person," says head coach Mark Bernardino. "I think to have him as a role model can only serve as an example of all that's good in sports that can happen to somebody who does things the right way."

McLean was a member of the United States' men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay that won gold in London on July 31.

"I want to share any knowledge I can that would help the team," says McLean. "I really think this is the best team and family environment in the country so I wanted to be a part of it again, to not only be able to improve the team, but also because I think it will be a good place for myself to continue to train."

The Sterling, Va., native graduated with a degree in sociology in 2011 and as one of UVa's most decorated student-athletes. McLean won the 2011 NCAA Championship in the 500-yard freestyle and was a 15-time All-American at UVa. A 17-time Atlantic Coast Conference Champion, he was the ACC Swimmer of the Year in 2008, 2009 and 2011.

While working with the swimming and diving team, he will continue to train, with the hope of returning to the Olympics in 2016. "I'm still trying to get back into it, but my next big meet is at World Championships in December, in Istanbul. I'm currently preparing for that, and we'll see where it goes from there. I'd definitely like to be in it for another four years."