Force in the Water

Today's discussion features US Army's Head Coach Brandt Nigro, who wrapped up his fourth season coaching at West Point by earning Coach of the Year honors for the men's swim and dive team at the end of the season. Army was a force to be reckoned with this year, as the men's team defeated Navy in their December Star Meet dual meet for the first time since 1990, and finished in second at the Patriot League championships with their team tallying over 800 points for the first time since 2001. In this episode, Brandt and Kevin are joined by second lieutenant Kevin Lin, a former team captain for the Black Knights to round out a discussion of leadership and what helped lay the foundation for the team's explosive success this season.  

Today's discussion features Milana Socha, who just finished up her first season as the head coach at Dartmouth. Prior to her head coaching appointment, Milana worked with Northwestern's nationally ranked teams as the lead coach for the butterfly and mid distance training groups. Additionally, Milana provided leadership for the team's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committee, and was a member of the Big 10 Equality Coalition as well as the athletic department's JEDI (justice, equity, diversity and inclusion) Education & Engagement advisory group. In this episode, Milana and Kevin discuss collegiate hiring practices in general and the specific hiring process Milana built and executed during this turn of the coaching carousel. Together, they unpack some major takeaways from hiring processes outside the sport, what leads to the “hire who you know” mentality and how a shift in hiring process can combat that, and red / yellow flags during the interview process. 

Today's discussion features Juliet Suess, the head coach of Chapman University. Juliet recently completed their second season heading up the Chapman swim & dive program. In their first season, Juliet led the panther men to a program best finish and the Chapman University staff was named SCIAC Coaching staff of the year for the women's program. In this episode, Juliet and Kevin discuss mental health. Please note neither Juliet nor Kevin are mental health professionals, so this is not professional advice, but a conversation intended to demystify the topic,  tips and tricks for helping athletes, and the importance of coaches taking the time to care for themselves as well. Resources mentioned during this discussion will be linked in the show notes. Body Scan Technique, Box Breathing TechniqueApp: How We FeelDo Not Disturb – set for second ringBoundaries / boundary settingTed Lasso – practice curiosityThe Weight of GoldPartner ChatsPositive Scan KickingThankful Thursday / Meditation MondayBook: Burnout

Today's coaching discussion is with Andrew Sheaff, most recently affiliated with the University of Virginia's swim and dive programs. Over the course of his time at UVA, the program has risen to prominence, securing their first NCAA championship win for the women in the 2020-2021 season and following up with another two in succession. Andrew hosts a blog for coaches entiled Coaching Flow and his first book on a constraint based approach to swim coaching is available for pre-order starting June 13th. In this episode, Andrew and Kevin discuss what constraints are, how they can affect the learning process, and ways you as a coach can use (or already may be using!) them to better coach your athletes. Chasing Flow: https://www.coachandrewsheaff.com/Pre-Order Book: https://www.routledge.com/A-Constraints-Led-Approach-to-Swim-Coaching/Sheaff/p/book/9780367724788Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MasteringFlow/about

Today's coaching discussion features former Danish pro swimmer, and co-founder of TheMagic5 goggle company, Niklas Hedegaard. Niklas spent several years as a professional swimmer for Denmark. He still holds a Danish record in the 400 medley relay in short course meters from 2016, swimming as the breaststroke leg. In this episode, Niklas and Kevin go down the proverbial rabbit hole, exploring longevity in the sport and where that exists on the spectrum between financial viability and burnout. In a sport that typically sees a lot of turnover in the “up and coming” names each Olympic cycle – often due to athlete retirement – they compare experiences of high training load, the physiological and psychological effects, and how changing the metrics of “hard work” had positive impacts.For a coach looking to get perspective from an informed athlete, this is a top notch discussion. 

Today's coaching discussion features former US National team director, Frank Busch.Frank began coaching at sixteen and took his first full-time position as the head coach of the Northern Kentucky Piranhas age group and senior programs in 1974. Frank made his way into the college world with the University of Cincinnati before taking over the University of Arizona. Under his guidance, Arizona made impressive progress, culminating in National Championship Teams on both the men's and women's side in 2008. Afterwards, Frank was recruited by USA swimming for his leadership and ability to connect with people.In this episode, Frank and Kevin discuss the development of championship teams, and what changing a culture looks like. They also touch on Frank's lead by example style in doing dryland and runs with the program. 

Today's coaching discussion features legendary Arizona Wildcat, Lara Jackson –  one of the most decorated collegiate swimmers in program history, who logged an astounding nine National Championships and 14 All American selections across her collegiate career. Lara is currently in her second season as the Assistant Coach with the University of Arizona.   Lara's career kicked off with a three year stint coaching in France with Vichy Val d'Allier Natation where she served as the Head Senior Coach and Head Strength and conditioning coach. Under her direction, multiple swimmers earned qualification to French Nationals. In this episode, Lara and Kevin discuss the unique experience of learning to coach while abroad in France. They also share some personal experiences as “project swimmers” with humble origins, struggles, and outstanding final results. 

Today's coaching discussion features Dave Rollins, who is currently in his seventh season as the head coach at Florida Gulf Coast University.  Dave's coaching career began in 2006 as an assistant for Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatics alongside Frank Busch. From there he took on several dual coaching rolls – working with college, club and high school (often simultaneously).After a stint working at the then-split OSU program with the men, Dave took over Florida Gulf Coast University as the second ever head coach in program history. In his first  two seasons at the helm, Dave was named CCSA Coach of the Year. He's coached at all levels, from novice to Olympians, including FGCU's 6th ever Olympic competitor.In this episode, Dave and Kevin discuss building connections with athletes and the influence that coaches have on the culture of a program.

Today's coaching discussion features Nikki Kett, owner and founder of the life coaching business, Nikki Kett Coaching. Nikki swam Division III and was an eleven time NCAA All American. Post college, she entered the coaching ranks herself, with tenures at Johns Hopkins, Penn, and Michigan. Across her collegiate coaching time, Nikki had the opportunity to work with some of the top athletes in the world. After close to a decade in the collegiate coaching ranks, Nikki stepped away to pursue a different kind of coaching – working with leaders in the sports world, both current and former athletes, and even full teams on unraveling myths around “the grind” and building emotional awareness apart from external validation.In this episode, Nikki and Kevin discuss coaching emotions, talk about development of trust in the recruiting process, and re-examine sports culture. If you or your team might be interested in working with Nikki, or you just want to learn more check her out on Instagram at @NikkiKettCoaching or on her website: https://nikki-kett-coaching.mykajabi.com/

Today's coaching discussion features Stephen Saiz, recently retired from work as a professor of the West River counselor education program at South Dakota State University.Over his career, Stephen has worked as a classroom teacher, school counselor, parent educator, university professor, licensed mental health counselor and clinical supervisor for practicing counselors. In doing so he has gathered a wealth of knowledge and insights on how people relate to one another individually and in group dynamics.In this episode, Stephen and Kevin discuss the use of encouragement over praise, developing a focus on process over product, and the creation of safety for athletes or students to work through uncertainty. 

Today's coaching discussion features Dan Flack, who just concluded a 17 year tenure coaching at Baylor. Dan cut his teeth in the coaching world working with some of the best known names in the sport at UNC, Georgia and Brown. As the head coach at Baylor, his team took home 16 state championship titles between the boys and girls. Dan has also been tabbed as a US Junior National team coach five times since 2011.Dan is known for a classroom style approach to his coaching – know your numbers! – but despite being raised in the “Shoulberg style” of endurance work has developed playbooks that heavily utilize land based conditioning and kicking to cope with space challenges and COVID.In this episode, Dan and Kevin jump into some fun discussions on a coach's role, the importance of kicking, and training an athlete's instincts. 

Today's coaching discussion features Jeff Raker, Executive Leadership Coach and founder of Level Up Leadership Coaching. With 30 years experience working with people, a Sherpa Executive Coaching certification and a passion for sports, Jeff brings a unique set of skills and insights to help leaders and coaches level up from where they are today. Jeff is a swim official, former FINA starter and pastor. He has worked with big business brands including Toyota, TBS Brands and Mohawk Industries. He's also worked with University sports from Auburn, NC State, Denison and Queens, as well as club programs like the Mason Manta Rays, TAC Titans, and NOVA.In this episode, Jeff and Kevin tackle some common challenges coaches face in leadership and working with people. If you or your team might be interested in working with Jeff, you can connect with him the following ways:Website: levelupleadershipcoach.comEmail: jeff@levelupleadershipcoach.comYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@JARaker5Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffraker/ 

Today's coaching discussion features club coach Dave Anderson of the Schroeder YMCA in Brown Deer, Wisconsin.Dave kicked off his coaching career in 1987 as a grad assistant with the University of Nebraska. Since 1994 he's been in the club world coaching at the Walter Schroeder Aquatic Center. Dave has coached across all levels, including a Paralympian, US Olympic Team Triathlete, over 30 Olympic Trials Qualifiers, a Junior World Championship member. As such, Dave has been on staff for the US National team & Junior Team, and was a Head Coach of the Southern Zone Select Camp. He currently coaches high school, college and post graduate ages as the Head Coach & Director at Schroeder.  In this episode, Dave and Kevin discuss the various iterations of systems-based training philosophies, dig into the rhythms of high school seasons in Wisconsin, and chat about specialization in the sport. 

Today's coaching discussion is the last of the three part series, featuring club coach Josh Everett with the King Marlin Swim Club in Oklahoma.Josh began his coaching career in 2002 with KMSC, through the spring of 2008. He returned as the Head Senior development coach in 2009 and has been instrumental in preparing the KMSC athletes for elite level competition, with swimmers ranked in the top 10 nationally. As a co-owner of KMSC, Josh spends most of his time coaching senior development and senior swimmers. In part three of this series, Josh and Kevin explore the dynamics of coach-athlete relationships. They discuss coaches as the stabilizing force for athletes on the emotional rollercoaster, navigating building trusting relationships, and the trials and tribulations of working with “problem children.” 

Joining us today is Coach Claire Donahue-White of the TAC Titans. Claire – a 2012 Olympian and gold medalist - has been with the TAC Titans for almost three years. She currently coaches the National and Sectional group. Over the years she has worked with athletes ranging from 8 & under to Olympians.In today's discussion, Claire and Kevin discuss the importance of a solid support system for success – first as an athlete and later as a coach! In a world where more high level athletes are choosing to go into coaching, Claire and Kevin also talk about the transition and the different skill set required for coaching high level athletes vs being a high level athlete. Finally, we get some reflections on the experience of being a woman in coaching. 

Today's coaching discussion is the second of a three part series, featuring club coach Josh Everett with the King Marlin Swim Club in Oklahoma.Josh began his coaching career in 2002 with KMSC, through the spring of 2008. He returned as the Head Senior development coach in 2009 and has been instrumental in preparing the KMSC athletes for elite level competition, with swimmers ranked in the top 10 nationally. As a co-owner of KMSC, Josh spends most of his time coaching senior development and senior swimmers. In part two of this series, Josh and Kevin dig into the value and methodologies of long term athletic development, looking at “slow cooking” athletes and capacity vs utilization in training. Finally, Josh passes along sage advice on coaches learning from coaches. 

Today's guest is Jason Pullano, in his first season as head coach with the high school swim team Highland Park in Texas. Jason began his coaching career in 2014 at Granbury High School, serving as both the instructional technology coordinator and head swim coach. He taught biology and aquatics and led both his boys and girls swim teams to eight consecutive district titles and four consecutive top-two finishes at the Region 2-5A championship meet. Upon Jason's arrival, Granbury had had only a single state qualifier in six years, but Jason changed that – with 27 athletes qualifying for state across eight seasons. Jason's approach to coaching and “gamification” has appeared in various presentations, clinics and podcasts. He's active in sharing online spreadsheets and in this episode discusses his House System approach during Covid and how as a coach he continues to expand his toolkit every year.To check out  more about Jason, you can use the following links:Link to Jason's youtube channel: https://bit.ly/pullanoyoutubeLink to Jason's gamify swim coaching facebook group: https://bit.ly/swimcoachgamificationLink to Jason's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachpullano/

On today's episode head coach Jessen Book of Kenyon College. Today's coaching discussion features Jessen Book, head coach of Kenyon College. Jess is a 2001 graduate of Kenyon and returned to his alma mater as the women's head coach in 2010. In 2012 he took over both programs and has accumulated four national championship team titles, the most recent from the Kenyon women in the 2022 season.In this episode Jess and Kevin hit on a bunch of topics. We get a discussion of growth in both the art and science of coaching, the concept of "coaching the living" and some thoughts and reflections on the development of championship team culture. Additionally they touch on the challenges and benefits both inherent in working with intelligent athletes. 

Today's coaching discussion is the first of a three part series, featuring club coach Josh Everett with the King Marlin Swim Club in Oklahoma.Josh began his coaching career in 2002 with KMSC, through the spring of 2008. He returned as the Head Senior development coach in 2009 and has been instrumental in preparing the KMSC athletes for elite level competition, with swimmers ranked in the top 10 nationally. As a co-owner of KMSC, Josh spends most of his time coaching senior development and senior swimmers. In part one of this series, Josh and Kevin will dig into some lessons learned in the early years of coaching, developing swimmers as “good citizens” and the value of engaging with the younger athletes as a senior development coach.