Speedo has a new coach.

Warnaco Group, the New York company that owns the tight-fitting swimsuit brand, named James B. Gerson as president of its swimwear division.

Gerson — who is leaving VF Corp., where he most recently was president of the surf brand Reef — has been brought on to drive growth at Speedo, according to one industry source close to the situation.

Speedo had a hit at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where Michael Phelps broke a slew of records wearing the brand’s LZR Racer suit, whose close-fitting fabric helps deliver better oxygen flow to muscles.

More recently, however, the LZR Racer has faced setbacks as it has been banned by groups that oversee competitive swimming.

Warnaco hired Gerson “to extend our leadership position in Speedo and maximize the global growth opportunities for our Calvin Klein Swim business,” according to Helen McCluskey, group president of intimate apparel and swimwear.