Jon Urbanchek Hired as National Team Technical Adviser for USA Swimming

Photo Courtesy: Taylor Brien Photo Courtesy: Taylor Brien

At 81 years old, swimming coaching legend Jon Urbanchek has inspired and led many swimmers to success. Amidst the many changes occurring under Team USA’s new leadership, Urbanchek will remain a constant having recently accepted the newly created position of National Team Technical Adviser.

The official announcement from USA Swimming is due to be released tomorrow, according to Yahoo! Sports.

Urbanchek explained to Yahoo’s Pat Forde,

“This is the final chapter. I retired from college coaching [at Michigan] in 2004, but I never retired from USA Swimming. I soak up all the energy from young coaches and young swimmers and give it back to them. My message is very simple: keep it moving.”

Urbanchek is sure to provide unparalleled wisdom in an organization that has undergone many changes within the last year, including the hiring of current CEO Tim Hinchey and the promotion of Olympian Lindsay Mintenko to National Team Managing Director.

Regarding the hiring of Urbanchek, Mintenko explained,

“Jon’s knowledge is unparalleled. He’s relatable, he’s respected, and he brings a sense of humor, which is fantastic.”

This new position will mark Urbanchek’s seventh stint with USA Swimming. He previously served on the 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympic coaching staffs and has coached 44 Olympians. Urbanchek has coached with many of today’s greatest coaches, including Bob Bowman, Mike Bottom, and Dave Salo.

Next month’s Phillips 66 National Championships will be a pivotal meet for Team USA as the meet decides not only who will swim at the Pan Pacific Championships in August, but also at the 2019 World Championships and 2019 Pan American Games. These meets will help shape an idea of what Team USA’s 2020 Olympic team might look like.

To read the full report from Yahoo! Sports click here.

OFFICIAL USA SWIMMING PRESS RELEASE

USA Swimming, the National Governing Body for the sport of swimming in the United States, today named renowned coach Jon Urbanchek to the newly appointed position of National Team Technical Advisor. The six-time U.S. Olympic Swimming Team coach will work alongside USA Swimming’s National Team Managing Director Lindsay Mintenko to provide vision and leadership for America’s top coaches and elite athletes, with the focus on performance.

The inaugural recipient of the IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 and a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, Urbanchek will begin his new role July 9. He will support the U.S. National Team at international events and consult on coaching decisions with the ultimate aim of delivering optimum performance and continuing to build upon the positive camaraderie ingrained within the National Team culture.

“USA Swimming has been a part of my life for a very long time and I’m excited to be able to continue to contribute in this new way,” Urbanchek said. “The best part of USA Swimming is that we’re all working for the same goal, day in day out, and it’s a great group of really dedicated people leading the charge. With Tokyo on the horizon, I’m joining a great team at an exciting time.”

“Jon Urbanchek is a legend in our sport and one of the most respected minds in coaching. His track record speaks for itself, and his relationships with our athletes and coaches are unparalleled,” Mintenko said. “I look forward to working with Jon to continue to the National Team’s international successes.”

Spanning a 20-year stretch, Urbanchek was a member of six U.S. Olympic Team coaching staffs – 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012. Forty-four Urbanchek-coached swimmers have qualified for the Olympic Games, with this group winning more than 20 medals, including 11 gold medals. He coached Rod Strachan to the Olympic gold medal in the 400-meter individual medley in 1976 and was the primary coach of at least one Olympic gold medalist at every Olympic Games from 1996 to 2012.

Urbanchek was the primary coach of Olympic stars Mike Barrowman, Tom Dolan, Tom Malchow, Eric Namesnik, Eric Wunderlich, Gustavo Borges and Brent Lang and also has worked closely with many other legends, including Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky.

Additionally, his coaching tree has spawned many of today’s top American coaches, including fellow U.S. Olympic staff members Bob Bowman, Bruce Gemmell and Dave Salo.

On the collegiate front, Urbanchek was the men’s head coach at the University of Michigan from 1983-2004 where he led the Wolverines to 13 Big Ten Conference titles, including 10 straight from 1986-95. A native of Hungary, Urbanchek was an All-American swimmer at Michigan from 1958-62.

His first event as National Team Technical Advisor will be the 2018 Phillips 66 National Championships, opening in just under one month in Irvine, California. He will continue to reside in California.

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Steve Barnicoat

5 years ago

Urbe…you are the man for decades….

Steve Borowski

5 years ago

John is awesome..

Seok Ki PARK

5 years ago

Very nice IDEA !!

Jennifer Parks

5 years ago

Bravo, John! Your wisdom and depth of knowledge will, again, help USA and the whole Sport of Swimming!

Tom Norton

5 years ago

John is FANTASTIC!!

Al Dodson

5 years ago

Fantastic choice. Jon is the BEST!!!!

Thomas Inwood

5 years ago

Well done – great choice !