Hundreds of freshman arrived on campuses this year full of goals for their swimming careers. It isn’t just freshman though. TWELVE Division I programs will have new head coaches as well. And this comes just one year before many big, big names are expected to announce their retirement (or have already done so privately). Here’s a look at a dozen difference makers headed into the new season:
Bob Bowman - Arizona State
Bold move for a team that was nearly cut a few years ago. He’s going to have resources previous staff didn’t so ASU will certainly go up, but how long will he stay?
Matt Leach - Indiana State
Young, ambitious, well-respected coach with connections to Indiana. While ISU is best known for Larry Bird, the Hoosier State is 4th leading producer of NCAA qualifiers.
Abby Steketee - Northwestern
Steketee doubled UNR’s WAC point total after leaving Evanston. Now its time to translate new energy into Big Ten-caliber recruiting.
Mike Litzinger - Notre Dame
His greatest successes have been when he's leading the leading man (Utah, St. Bonaventure). He's leading once again, but step one is to bring stability to South Bend.
Petra Martin - Rutgers
Another successful Mid-Major coach heads to the Big Ten. Not sure how you make Rutgers stand out in the Big 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, but she did it in the MAC.
James Winchester - George Washington
GWU has nowhere to go but up. He's been successful in a wide range of places and reading between lines of GWU's release (international experience) figure he'll be drawing from a wide range of places.
Reed Robelot - Green Bay
UWGB was aggressive in seeking out cantidates and it looks like they got the right guy. Merner left a stable program that Robelot could make a signature one.
Matt Ense - Bowling Green
We're big fans of the Assistant Coach-of-the-Year. He's made a lot of moves - Denison, DePauw, and Cincy - but has a successful track record.
Scott Cameron - Illinois State
Not a big name, but he's well-regarded in coaching circles. The Redhawks took a dip last year but Paska, like Merner at UWGB, left Cameron a solid program.
Jamie Platt - LaSalle
Explorers don't look far for their new head coach. Platt is a popular choice, but more importantly, he's connected up and down the Main Line.
Bobby Folan - UNLV
Folan has been a big part of UNLV’s success in recent years. The sooner UNLV eliminates the “interim” tag from his title the better.
Neil Harper - Nevada
UNR opts to go with a veteran. Most of his bio touts dual meet records which could be a priority until he can restock a MWC Championship contender.
Matt Nunnally - Monmouth
New program goes with a coach with longtime ties to the Northeast.
Boise State - ?
Any day now guys...classes started yesterday. edit - Jeremy Kipp formerly of USC announced as Boise Head Coach this very afternoon! (8/25)
