USA Diving announced today that Dr. Jeff Huber will be the National Governing Body’s Director of Education. Huber is slated to start working September 5.
The three-time U.S. Olympic coach returns to the USA Diving family after working in the Indiana University Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences as a Professor of Practice. He has served as a faculty member since September 2013 and will continue to teach alongside his USA Diving duties. Huber’s academic background is rooted in educational psychology as well as theories of cognition and motor-learning, making him an ideal candidate to fill the role for USA Diving.
“USA Diving is excited to bring Jeff Huber to the National Office staff,” said USA Diving CEO Lee Johnson. “His holistic knowledge of the sport of diving and proven success on and off the pool deck will be a true asset. Coaching Education is a priority for the USA Diving Membership, and Jeff is a great fit in the vision to build and improve the sport.”
Huber coached Team USA at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Athens 2004 Olympic Games and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. He was also a coach for the Dominican Republic at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games. His 37 years of coaching experience cover every facet of the sport, while his educational background provides structure and advancement in the pedagogy of diving. Huber’s extensive knowledge of the sport not only benefits the USA Diving education department, but will also be an asset to high-performance efforts.
“After being away from the sport of diving for four years, I found myself missing it,” Huber said. “I was involved in the sport for so many years as a diver and then as a coach and it was a huge part of my life. I am eager to reconnect with the sport and with USA Diving and its members.”
Huber has been named USA Diving coach of the year 13 times and collected multiple accolades in the collegiate arena including NCAA Diving Coach of the Year and Big Ten Coach of the Year on numerous occasions. In addition to his achievements on the pool deck, Huber has also authored multiple academic publications including two textbooks: Applying Educational Psychology in Coaching Athletes and Springboard and Platform Diving.
“I am passionate about the sport of diving and about the process of teaching and learning,” Huber noted. “I am grateful to Lee Johnson for the opportunity to serve as Director of Education, a position where I am able to engage in both of my passions. I look forward to doing my best to pay back the sport which has given to me so much, and to contributing to the continued growth, development, and success of USA Diving.”
He earned his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, M.A. in English at California State University – Fullerton and his B.S. in English and Education from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
Press Release courtesy of USA Diving.