The University of Florida has officially posted openings to hire two new assistant swimming coaches as part of the program restructure.
After splitting the programs with a separate head men’s and women’s coaching position in 2018, the program is reuniting under previous men’s head coach Anthony Nesty for the 2021-2022 season. Former women’s head coach Jeff Poppell left to take over the men’s and women’s programs at the University of South Carolina.
After posting for two openings this week on the official NCAA Jobs database, a spokesperson for the university confirmed that the program is planning to bring back the rest of the staff, including head diving coach Brian Gillooly, associate head coach Steve Jungbluth (who previously worked with the men’s team), assistant head coach Whitney Hite (who previously worked with the women’s team), and volunteer diving coach Laurent Perez.
The position that drew the most curiosity was that of Hite, because he previously worked with the women’s team, and his former boss Poppell is the coach who left. It does appear as though Hite will be retained, though.
Because of NCAA rules, programs that combine are able to add an extra paid assistant coach to their staff. That means the two postings are to replace Poppell and to fill that newly-created position.
The required qualifications listed include:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Prior experience with collegiate/club swimming
- Solid administrative, organizational, and communication skills
- Advanced computer skills
- Ability to engage effectively with others of diverse cultures or backgrounds
- Ability to work a non-standard work week which will include early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays and extensive overnight travel
Preferred qualifications listed for the position are:
- Prior Division I coaching experience
- Experience with recruiting and evaluating prospective student-athletes
- Working knowledge of SEC and NCAA rules and regulations
Perez, the volunteer diving coach, was the only female coach on staff last season. Combined programs usually carry at least one female assistant swim coach, so it is likely that at least one of the two open positions will go to a female.
While the positions are technically listed as assistants for the “swimming & diving program,” the qualifications clarify that the roles are for swim coaches.
Would the volunteer assistant fill one of the positions?
I hope they reach out to Jaime Lewis!
Absolutely not
This might be a good opportunity to try and snag Jaime (Ellis) Lewis back from USA Swimming to coach at her alma mater. She did a fantastic job as head coach at Gator Swim Club and brought them to Gold medal status in three years. She has experience as a Gator swimmer, a National teamer, coaching and developing high-level athletes, and in working with the coaching staff.
Her training is outdated and toxic- let’s move forward from the old Gregg Troy mentality so the program can move forward and actually recruit in state swimmers
“restructured, combined-gender” — the anatomical possibilities boggles the mind.
They need a female on staff I would assume
Florida had the opportunity to hire a Head Women’s Coach with a talented FEMALE Coach before they went backwards and combined. The trajectory of each program was better than they have been together.
Is it a coincidence that the last ten years Men’s and Women’s NCAA Champions are predominantly single sex programs?
If you’re referring to Holly Bonewit-Cron, you’re 100000% right. Big swing and a miss by UF! Everyone knows the way to the top is by putting all your best athletes on the transfer portal.
It would be good