University of Michigan head swimming and diving coach Mike Bottom announced on Tuesday (June 28) the promotion of Sam Wensman to assistant coach, effective July 1. Wensman replaces longtime staff member Mark Hill, who accepted a position with the Old Dominion Aquatic Club in Virginia.
"I want to thank Mark for all he's given to this program and this university," said Bottom. "I know he's very much looking forward to spending more time with his family and pursuing his business interests. He's an excellent coach, a tireless worker and a close friend. All of us here certainly wish him well."
"Sam is one of the brightest young coaches out there. He has been around our team for a lot of years and knows what it means to represent the block M. I have supreme confidence in his abilities to step into this position and thrive."
A program alum (2008-11), Wensman has spent the last three seasons as the program's volunteer swimming coach. He has also spent the past six years coaching professional and post-graduate swimmers with the Club Wolverine Elite Team. This past spring, Wensman coached Japanese swimmer Junya Koga to an Olympic berth in the backstroke.
A native of Durham, New Hampshire, Wensman specialized in the breaststroke at Michigan and was part of three Big Ten championship teams (2008-09, 2011). He graduated in 2011 with a degree in sport management.
Hill spent seven seasons at Michigan -- four as assistant coach and three as volunteer assistant. Working closely with the sprinters, he has been a part of six Big Ten championship teams (2011-16), as well as the program's national championship in 2013. Hill and his wife, Jessica, have two children -- Sydney (4) and Cameron (2).
