Stanford Successor - Eight to Speculate

Who will be the next head coach at Stanford?  With one of arguably two biggest positions in college swimming (the other being Texas, sorry Auburn fans) currently open speculation on the next head coach at the Farm is in overdrive.  Surveying the coaching landscape we asked, who should (not is) but who should be considered next in line to succeed the legendary Skip Kenney as Goldman Family Director of Men's Swimming?

Ted Knapp, Associate Head Coach, Stanford University – Whether as Goldman Family Director of Men's Swimming or not, Knapp is for all intents and purposes as much a part of Stanford’s swimming success as Kenney.  Consequently, he has to be a part of the Cardinal’s future.  Whether that is as “Head Coach” or not would have to be up to him.  After thirty years of coaching, what more does he have to prove?  Nothing.  What more does he want to accomplish?  That’s a bigger question, but Stanford owes him the opportunity to be considered for the position.

Pablo Morales, Head Women’s Coach, University of Nebraska – It’s easy to identify why Pablo SHOULD be considered.  He’s a Stanford legend.  It’s also easy to identify why Pablo SHOULD NOT be considered. Simply ask, “What’s he done at Nebraska?”  Fair question.  But in all fairness, he wasn’t exactly given the keys to the Cadillac at a Husker program castrated by the penalties left behind from the previous coaching staff.  You could also ask the same “What has she done?” question of a certain high school coach from the Chicago Suburbs.  That didn’t stop Stanford from Lea Maurer who has done everything but bring a NCAA title back to Palo Alto.   Pablo + Ted seems like a reasonable bet especially considering the Huskers are currently looking for an assistant leading to speculation that Doug Humphrey could be elevated.  

Anthony Nesty or Martyn Wilby, Associate Head Coaches, University of Florida – Like Pablo, Nesty is one of the few college coaches with an Olympic Gold Medal on their resume.  Nesty got his Gold by beating out one of Cal’s biggest legends in Matt Biondi.   He’s a quiet driving presence at UF.  Wilby’s a much more colorful personality and sometimes that is what you’re looking for in a head coach.  Either is eminently qualified to take the reins of a top-four program and in the past year both have assumed tremendous responsibility with Head Coach Gregg Troy also tasked with leading the United States men’s team into London this summer.   

Mike Bottom, Head Men’s Coach, University of Michigan – It’s nearly impossible to replace a legend, but its impossible to deny what Bottom has done at Michigan since Jon Urbanchek retired to California.  Last season Michigan was the northern-most school to finish in the Top five since the 2004 Michigan team.   He’s coached at Cal so he’s dealt with rigorous academic standards that rule out many of the top guys.  Since leaving Cal, Bottom has silenced all doubters and a private university, with less red tape and a streamlined chain-of-command would seem to suit a free and imaginative thinker.  Finally, he’s a California guy, there’s little doubt the Big Ten would love to see him headed back.

Jeremy Kipp, Assistant Coach, Southern California – Salo gets most of the glory, but credit much of USC’s resurgence to the longtime California-based assistant Kipp.  On all levels Kipp has positioned himself for a big-time gig.  From the Olympic side of things he’s worked with the likes of Ous Melloui and Stanford grad Markus Rogan.  At the same time, he’s plied the grass roots of California while working at an assistant at UC-Santa Barbara.  While Stanford can tout its national reach, Dave Durden has been poaching the Golden State for the top talent.  

Kunio Kono, Associate Head Coach, UNLV – Kunio Who?  Call him the anti-Pablo.  You might not know his name, but you can’t question his body of work.  Kono has the ultimate pedigree for a developing coach – volunteer assistant with Schubert at USC, graduate assistant at Alabama, swimming ops director during Arizona development and finally the experience of a program he can call his own.  Would he be a longshot?  Possibly, but aren’t we speculating here?

David Marsh, Head Coach, SwimMAC Carolina – Seriously?  No.  But c’mon we're talking about a coaching vacancy and you can't have a talk about a vacancy without mentioning Marsh.  Remember, we're just speculatin' here.