Back in September, USA-Swimming National Team Coach Mark Schubert was forced into a 60-day leave of absence from the team, including USA-Swimming Chief Chuck Wielgus emailing National Team members telling them not to have any contact with the coach during that period.
That 60-day leave has been made permanent, according to the AP. Wielgus’ latest email surrounding the embattled coach states that Schubert “is no longer the National Team Head Coach.”
The directness of this statement has left little doubt as to it’s meaning, which veers from all previous reports regarding this situation, which have been rather cryptic. Different theories on where the problems are stemming from include accusations that Schubert is verbally abusive to other USA-Swimming staff members and also questions about how he handled the Athlete Partnership Plan.
The move has not been made public by USA-Swimming yet, but hopefully more details will come out then. In the meantime, outgoing USA Swimming President Jim Wood will continue to handle National Team coaching duties, though no indication has been given to the interest of either side to make that role permanent.
Good!