Ignacio Gayo was named the Northwestern Swim & Dive assistant coach on July 7, 2020.
Before joining the Wildcats, Gayo held the the Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator title at Florida International (FIU) since 2017 after serving on the FIU staff as an assistant since September of 2010.
Gayo, who served as head coach Randy Horner’s right-hand man, coached the sprinters while overseeing the Panthers international and domestic recruiting efforts. He helped lead FIU to their sixth-straight conference title in 2020, coaching freshman Jasmine Nocentini in qualifying for the NCAA championships in the 50 free event with a time of 22.23.
In the 2018-19 season, Gayo assisted sprinter Naomi Ruele to her fourth consecutive NCAA appearance in which she broke the school record in the 100 Back with a time of 52.44. During the 2018 C-USA Championships, Gayo also coached the 200 free relay that broke school record with a time of 1:28.99.
During the 2017-18 season, Gayo helped lead the Panthers to their fourth-straight Conference USA Championship, setting a meet record with 1031 team points. The Panthers earned 16 first place finishes during the four-day competition and registered 45 all-conference honors, as well as four C-USA honors, including Swimmer and Diver of the Year.
Gayo coached stand-out Johanna Gustafsdottir to four NCAA meets, as well as Silvia Scalia to the NCAA Championship in her FIU debut season. In 2016-17, he also mentored the school record setting 400 freestyle relay to the program's first NCAA relay bid with a time of 3:15.23.
In addition to his duties at FIU, Gayo served as the National Team Head Coach for the Botswana Swimming Federation at the 2016 World Championships. Gayo also accompanied Naomi Ruele to the Commonwealth Games during April 2018, where she placed 15th in the 100 back and 12th in the 50 back.
Beginning in the Fall of 2008 until the spring of 2010, Gayo served at his alma mater, Missouri State, as a graduate assistant coach. Among Gayo's many duties, he served as the international recruiting coordinator for Missouri State. Gayo also coached the sprints, backstroke and fly groups to a Missouri Valley Conference Champions for the women's programs in 2009 and 2010.
Gayo served as team captain at Missouri State between the years of 2004-08 and was named named Missouri State Freshman of the Year in 2004, as well as All-Missouri Valley Conference selection in 2004 and 2005.
In 2006, Gayo was named Missouri State Swimmer of the Year and was also named the Outstanding Missouri State student-athlete during his four years at the school. A four-year letter winner at Missouri State, Gayo holds the school record in the 400 free relay.
Gayo graduated from Missouri State University in 2008 with duo bachelor’s degrees in Computer Information Systems and Information Technology Service Management. In May 2011, He also graduated with a Masters degree in Administrative Studies with emphasis on Sports Management from Missouri State University. In December 2018, he obtained a second Master’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from FIU, while simultaneously certifying himself as an iPEC Professional Life Coach.