Michael Phelps Joining ASU Coaching Staff For 2016-2017 Season

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Michael Phelps, the greatest Olympian of all time who is in the midst of his run to qualify for a fifth and final Olympics, has been reported to be staying in Arizona next year to coach as a volunteer assistant with the Sun Devils. In an interview with the Arizona Republic, Phelps has committed to joining the ASU coaching staff under Bob Bowman for the 2016-2017 season.

The interview also features fellow Olympian and teammate Allison Schmitt, who has committed to staying in Tempe following 2016 to complete a master’s degree in psychology (there is no mention of her retiring like her teammate Phelps). Schmitt, who has been open about her own battle with depression following the 2012 London Games, hopes to use the degree to continue to help others battle the same mental struggles she has endured.

Speaking of his two star athletes, Bowman remarks that “They’ve gone through some really hard times. It’s been a total life change (in Arizona). The group we have is very good. The environment, staff, obviously the weather and the facility and being part of what’s going on at ASU. It’s just more fun.”

Phelps echoed his coach’s comments, going so far to say that he hasn’t seen “this side of Bob” in a long time and that he is looking forward to continuing to stay involved in the sport following his retirement after this summer. “Our attitude towards workout is a lot better now than what it was in the past,” Phelps commented. “I’d be the first one to say this is one of the best places I’ve ever lived.”

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Dunc1952

8 years ago

Great news for ASU