In an update to a story that broke last night, USA Swimming has posted an update to their public list of Individuals Suspended or Ineligible-Permanently to include the name of Tim O’Brien: the 2015 USA Swimming Developmental Coach of the Year.
The announcement was made to members of the Nitro team last night, and swimmers and parents were told that he would not contest the finding of the USA Swimming Board of Review.
O’Brien, who formerly coached the senior group at Nitro including several National and Junior National Team members, was banned under two sections of the USA Swimming Code of Conduct:
304.3.5 Any sexual contact or advance or other inappropriate sexually oriented behavior or action directed towards an athlete by a coach, official, trainer, or other person who, in the context of swimming, is in a position of authority over that athlete.
304.3.5 Any inappropriate sexually oriented behavior or action directed towards a member by any other adult participating in any capacity whatsoever in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming or its LSCs (whether such adult is a member or not). Any nonconsensual physical sexual conduct, or pattern of unwelcome advances or other sexual harassment in connection with or incidental to a USA Swimming-related activity by any person participating in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming or its LSCs (whether such person is a member or not) directed toward any member or other person participating in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming or its LSCs. (effective September 27, 2008)
Both instances are cited from older versions of the Code of Conduct, which date back to the first decade of the 2000s.
Prior to his time at Nitro, O’Brien was a coach with SwimAtlanta, where he was the head senior coach at the Johns Creek location from 1995-2000, at which point he went to coach in the Virgin Islands on the island of St. Croix.
Nitro Just hired Weber-gale
I am not surprised Nitro is an amazing program that takes pride in what they do. Never any short cuts or telling parents what they want to hear. BUILDING SWIMMERS ONE STROKE AT A TIME.
Joe sounds as though he is a jealous parent/swimmer or member of another team and does not have the facts if you do then state them because I can tell you your wrong and do NOT have the facts. If you did you would not be making the accusations you are. Shame on you
With all due respect, this may have happened from 2000-2006/2007. How does your memory hold up for that timeframe?
And I know NOTHING about the process USA Swimming uses to determine guilt. It could be robust and substantial or not. None of us know anything about that process. Again for all parties involved, I hope USA Swimming did a thorough and fair job investigating this, but think of how many jury trial outcomes are controversial – and those trials were carried out in public. Whatever process USA Swimming used, it was private.
Hey swim mom – while we may not know much about what USA Swimming has found on a specific case, there is a lot of information available about the ascribed process. Here’s a good place to start if you want to read more about that process: http://swimswam.com/usa-swimming-publishes-safesport-investigation-process-flow-chart/
As you alluded to though, the details of any specific case are kept very private and internal.
Braden, thanks for the link.
I think I’d remember pretty well if my swim coach was having sex with me.
Emily, then I hope that you are 1) an adult and 2) not a swimmer
Because swimmers and teens are supposed to have bad memories? If you’re going to defend the indefensible, try to at least follow the conversation. She was answering your unbelievable contention that a sexual abuse victim would have forgotten about it by now.
Please no comments about this person being a “great coach” or “great man”. The person you thought you knew was just a character he was playing to get by in life. The conduct listed above is the real person; think about that before you rush to defend.
Great coach and a great man 🙂