Florida’s Martyn Wilby and Anthony Nesty Named Assistant Coaches of the Year

SOMERS, Wisconsin, May 21. MARTYN Wilby, Anthony Nesty and Matt Tallman have been named Assistant Coach-of-the-Year by CollegeSwimming.com. Tallman, of Notre Dame was named the top Rising Assistant Coach of the year while Florida's Wilby and Nesty were recognized in the Lifetime/Career Category.

It was the second time that Tallman and Nesty had been recognized. Both had been named Honorable Mention, with Tallman cited last year and Nesty recognized in 2011.

The trio was selected by a panel of coaches from two dozen nominees. Each assistant was nominated independently by both their head coach and a student-athlete.

Anthony Nesty & Martyn Wilby, University of Florida
Even though they were recognized in the Career Category, Nesty and Wilby's season stood out to the selection committee. In a year when Gator Head Coach Gregg Troy stayed busy with obligations as men's head coach for the United States Olympic Team, the pair helped Florida win its first men's SEC Championship since 1993.

“This is well-deserved, especially for what Anthony and Marty have done for me and our kids over the past two years,” explained Troy. “With my recent commitments, both Anthony and Marty went out of their way to take some responsibilities off my plate to better the program and keep it running smoothly.”

“This season has been incredibly special for us all,” explained Florida Senior Cameron Martin in his nomination of Nesty. “My teammates and I do not compete and train with pride simply because we are told to, but because we see that same passion and pride in our coaches.”

Olympian Elizabeth Beisel nominated Wilby, noting, “No matter who or what caliber athlete you are – whether Ryan Lochte or a walk-on – Coach Wilby will always go out of his way to get to know you and how you respond to certain coaching styles.”

Upon learning of the selection, Wilby said, “It is an honor to be selected for this award. Anthony and I have worked for Gregg and the University of Florida for almost 15 years. I feel fortunate that I have been part of some outstanding coaching staffs and have had the opportunity to coach some of the best swimmers in the world.”

Matt Tallman, University of Notre Dame
While the team of Wilby and Nesty were helping Florida to new heights, Notre Dame's Tallman was selected on the basis of the Fighting Irish's breakthrough season and also his work in re-engineering the entire qualifying process for the NCAA Championships. Tallman researched and constructed a model that led to the most competitive NCAA Championships in thirty years.

“Matt played a major role in the process that led to current major revision of the [NCAA] selection procedure.” explained Notre Dame head coach Tim Welsh. “With Matt's help, the new selection procedure was adopted, and this allowed more teams to compete in the NCAA Championships than in previous years.”

Tallman's impact was also felt closer to home as the Fighting Irish enjoyed a breakout season that included Notre Dame's largest-ever number of NCAA Qualifiers.

“This award is a symbol of the process and hard work put in by an entire staff and team that has worked towards achieving goals. Thanks to Tim Welsh for giving me the opportunity 12 years ago to work at the University of Notre Dame. Thanks to the student-athletes for having the faith and trust in Tim and me and for choosing to attend a world class institution and to my wife, Heather, and kids, Martin and Hannah, for dealing with a coaching schedule and loving what I do almost as much as I do.”

In addition to the two selections, CollegeSwimming.com also announced Honorable Mention Finalists in both the Rising and Career Assistant Coach-of-the-Year
honors. Finalists in the Established/Career Category included Mike Litzinger (North Carolina) and Mike Westphal (Indiana). Rising assistant finalists were Jenn Verser (Dartmouth) and Doug Alban (Sewanee).

CollegeSwimming.com Rising Assistant Coach-of-the-Year
2013 – Matt Tallman, University of Notre Dame
2012 – Matt Ense, Denison University
2011 – Derek Perkins, Clemson University

CollegeSwimming.com Established / Career Assistant Coach-of-the-Year
2013 – Anthony Nesty & Martyn Wilby, University of Florida
2012 – Stefanie Kerska, University of Michigan
2011 – Ted Knapp, Stanford University & Joe Hendee, University of Tennessee

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World Magazine. It has been posted in its entirety without editing. Swimming World offers all outlets the chance to reach our audience by contacting us at Newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com. However, Swimming World reserves the right to choose what material is posted.

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