Even for someone versed in the reverse flying 1 1/2 somersault, it has been a leap of faith that brought Mike Brown to the University of Hawai'i and — has kept him here — as its diving coach.

Six years ago the former U.S. Olympic and University of Texas assistant coach and his wife, Anita Rossing, left cozy semi-retirement in Victoria, British Columbia, to see if they could help rebuild UH's diving fortunes. Seeing through that challenge, even in the face of the most turbulent chapter in UH swimming, has kept them not only going but thriving.

What is expected to be the latest — and perhaps biggest — payoff on that hands-on investment comes in the NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships that open today in Athens, Ga.

"This is the best women's team I've ever taken to the NCAAs," Brown said, a statement that takes in more than a quarter-century of experience, including 18 years with the perennial power Longhorns.

The Rainbow Wahine have their first defending NCAA diving champion, QiongJie Huang; Rui Wang, who finished third in the platform last year, and Megan Farrow in the meet. Between them, Huang and Wang accounted for 64 points in last year's championships, where the combined UH swimming and diving total was 68 points, the most in school history.

"The field is a little bit better this year," Brown said, "but I'd never underestimate them (the UH divers). They love to compete and do well."

The same could be said of the Browns, who came to UH to expand on the nearly 30-year foundation laid by Wally Nakamoto. He's coached Olympic, Pan Am, and U.S. national teams. She is a two-time Olympian from Sweden. Together, they might be the two best UH coaches you've never heard of.

Upon the Browns' acceptance, the athletic department undertook renovations to bring the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex diving facilities up to competitive standards. Since then, everything but the pool seems to have changed.

Indeed, the 57-year-old Brown's running of the diving program has been the biggest if not only constant. His wife's position was reduced to the point that she's become a "volunteer" assistant and runs her own Sunshine Diving Program. Meanwhile, he's working alongside the fourth head swim coach of his six-year tenure.

Yet, the diving program has managed to thrive. Brown has won or shared four conference coach of the year honors in six years of doubling up with men and women divers. The divers helped lead the UH women's swimming and diving team to its first Western Athletic Conference championship earlier this month with Huang, Wang and Farrow combining for six Top 5 finishes.

On the men's side, Mats Wiktorsson won the zone platform competition last week and competes in next week's NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships in Atlanta.

"We felt there was a lot of potential in Hawai'i," Brown said. "We'd like to see it be developed."

In the meantime, the NCAA Championships offer an opportunity to pay dividends on a vision that has been six years in the making at UH.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.