Four “Finalists” for USA National Team Director Slot To Be Interviewed Tomorrow

By Phillip Whitten

CHICAGO, Ill., Feb. 8. THE four "finalists" for the USA Swimming National Team Director position will be interviewed tomorrow in Chicago by the selection committee appointed by USA Swimming Executive Director Chuck Wielgus.

The names of the four finalists are confidential.

The position became available when Dennis Pursley, who had held the post for 13 years, resigned to become head coach at the Phoenix Swim Club.

The 8-member selection committee consists of five coaches and three athletes: Coaches Jack Bauerle, David Marsh, March Schubert, Murray Stephens and Jim Wood; and athletes Mark Henderson, Sean Killion and Cristina Teuscher.

Some 20 names were put forward for the NTD's post, but many of the individuals nominated asked that they not be considered. The selection committee reportedly pared the list down to six semifinalists, then four finalists.

Wielgus has gone to pains to emphasize repeatedly that the committee will simply recommend the appointment of a candidate — or, it may recommend none of the candidates. The actual selection remains Wielgus' prerogative, and his alone. He may choose to accept the committee's recommendation, choose someone not recommended — or even considered — by the committee, or decide not to fill the position at this time.

Apparently, one of the potential issues in the selection process is that there does not appear to be a definitive job description for the post.

The four finalists, who will remain unidentified here, offer intriguing contrasts. There are two senior coaches — one who heads a highly successful college program, the other is the head of a major club team. The other two candidates, though they both have coaching experience, are best known as US Olympic greats. They, however, appear to have strengths the two veteran coaches may not possess.

On Monday the eight members of the selection committee will meet to consider the four candidates they interview on Sunday, after which they hope to make a recommendation to Wielgus.

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