Multiple sources have confirmed to SwimSwam tonight that Auburn assistant Frank Bradley has been offered and has accepted the position as the next head coach at Florida State University, his alma mater, and he is expected to be named officially after signing the contracts on Monday.
Bradley is a Florida State alum who is returning home after three years as an Associate Head Coach with the Auburn Tigers. In between graduating from Florida State in 1997 and his return in 2013, he first was a graduate assistant with the Seminoles from 1997-1999 before joining the South Carolina staff until 2005. Next, he spent one year as an assistant and then four as a head coach at Indian River State College, the best junior college program in history, where he won five consecutive National Junior College Championships.
Bradley had become a hot name for just about every available coaching position in the country, and combined with his ties to the program, this decision will surprise few.
He will have the task of taking over a team in rebuilding mode a little bit. The men’s team had big graduations, including three of the four members of their ACC Record setting freestyle relays.
The women’s team, as of now, is only losing their top butterflier Elizabeth Pepper to a transfer. The majority of the rest of their top women’s group, including double ACC sprint champion Tiffany Oliver, were underclassmen.
The men’s team, though losing a lot, has some good pieces to work with next year. That includes an expected full season with international addition Pavel Sankovich, perhaps his last, after his mid-season left him swimming spectacularly at ACC’s but falling off on his second taper for NCAA’s. The men also have a strong recruiting class coming in with in-staters Jason Coombs and Jason McCormick. They also picked up a late addition with Aruban Olympian Jamal le Grand.
The top of the women’s recruiting class is another in-state signee Chelsie Britt, who has been a 54.88 in the 100 yard backstroke.
Bradley takes over the program after 14-year head coach Neil Harper was let go a month ago.
What happened to a Monday announcement? Any news on when the announcement will be official?
ACCMOM – We’ve been told his first official day at FSU is tomorrow, so my guess would be then. Auburn is advertising his position already, for whatever that’s worth, and all Auburn, and Florida State swimmers and recruits have been informed of the news. The formal press release is as much of a formality as anything at this point.
I have heard that there are other swimmers who have chosen to leave the team – at least one is transferring and 2 who have quit swimming. It will be interesting to see what remains of the team and how recruiting goes this year.
I have heard that the team is very excited about their future under a new coach. You are right though, it will be interesting to see how recruiting goes.
Don Gibb would be a great choice to replace Frank at Auburn.
Actually Don Gibb would be a great choice at Indian River as well.
You guys do realize who coached Frank at FSU and who Frank first learned to coach under at FSU then SC?
Yep, Don Gibb.
It would be in Frankie’s best interest to distance himself from the Don Gibb era in Tallahassee.
Why would Frank want to distance himself from the era when he swam for the Seminoles? IF you do your research you will see that the 1990’s were the most successful period in the history of the program, ACC Champions, Three NCAA Individual Champions (the only swimming champions ever!), and an Olympic Finalist in 1996 (freshman Brendan Dedekind). Frank was a big part of jump starting the Seminole program when he was highly recruited by many different schools out of high school. His sister was also part of that particular era. Wonder is she should distance herself from it too?
Please enlighten us all why Frank would deny his past? It’s a big reason why he came back!
If things were so grand under Don, why did he leave for a prestigious sec position?
He left with Gibb to South Carolina for his first full time coaching position and stayed for six years before heading to Indian River
Hello Swimnole,
I really believe you are wrong on two counts on this thread.
A. Why distance himself from Don Gibb?
History shows Frank knew Don Gibb coached him well, as Frank determined to go with Don Gibb, when Don Gibb went to SC.
B. Why did Gibb leave FSU for SC?
It surely was not because Gibb was not successful!
Also, notice again that if Gibb was unsuccessful why would Frank have followed Gibb to SC?
so why again would Frank want to distance himself from Don Gibb, whom he thought enough of to swim for him, begin coaching with him at FSU, then choose to follow Gibb to SC?
Any speculation on who will stay on staff and who will leave?
Does anyone know if Frank will try to bring in some friends and generate more hype than he already brings to the table?
Steve – there’s plenty of speculation, I’m sure…but I think those conversations won’t be had until all of the paperwork goes through on Monday. I know that at least one assistant interviewed for the job and didn’t get it.
Braden – Can you be more specific? Do you mean a current, FSU assistant interviewed and it didn’t fly with Bradley, or someone else outside the program interviewed?
Sorry, I should say that a current FSU assistant interviewed for the HEAD coaching job, and obviously didn’t get it…because Bradley got the job instead. As I mentioned, I’ve heard nothing about specific plans on whether any or all of the assistants will be kept.
Go Frankie! It’s been a long time coming, and lucky for FSU to get a great alum back.
Braden — Any word on the hire at Indian River?
I haven’t heard, but I will ask around and see what I can figure out.
One of the former swimmers said it would most likely be Adam
Frank is a great technical coach and is an absolute up and coming star. Kudos to the FSU AD for making a great choice!
Wow, great hire. Look out for the noles!