Michigan Hires Mission Viejo Assistant Coach Mike Hilde as Head Diving Coach

Michigan Team

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

ANN ARBOR, Michigan, September 12. UNIVERSITY of Michigan head swimming and diving coach Mike Bottom announced on Friday (Sept. 12) the hiring of Mike Hilde to the post of diving coach. Hilde comes to Ann Arbor after three years with the Mission Viejo Nadadores in Mission Viejo, Calif., where he was the National/International Team Director and an assistant coach.

“Mike Hilde is exactly the kind of person we were looking for to lead our diving program,” said Bottom. “He has passion, enthusiasm and is armed with an incredible work ethic that we believe will translate to success in the diving well. He has strong ties on both the national and international levels, which is going to really help us in the future. We’re absolutely thrilled to have Mike on board.

Hilde is currently serving on USA Diving’s coaching staff for the 2014 FINA World Junior Championships, which ends on Sunday (Sept. 14) in Penza, Russia.

Hilde sports 14 years of experience as both an athlete and coach. With the Mission Viejo Nadadores, Hilde designed training programs and provided technical instruction and guidance to Junior Olympic and Senior-level athletes. Last August, he was named National/International Team Director, serving as Communications Director for the Junior Olympic and Senior programs, while also serving as the team’s correspondent to USA Diving. He also formed training schedules and planned travel for national and international competitions. Since 2012, Hilde has additionally served on the Committee of Competitive Excellence within USA Diving.

He coached his divers to three top-four finishes at the J.O. National Championships (2011-13) and a top-five finish at the 2013 USA Diving Senior National Diving Championships. In addition, Hilde’s divers took first as a team at both the 2013 Age Group National Championships and 2013 Junior Olympic Games. Prior to his appointment in Mission Viejo, Hilde was head diving coach for one season at the University of San Diego (2010-11).

He was an accomplished collegiate diver at the University of Southern California (2004-07), where he was a four-time NCAA Championships qualifier. In his 12 career diving events at the NCAA Championships, Hilde scored in nine of them, including an NCAA All-America honor in 2006 on the three-meter springboard. Prior to USC, Hilde dove for the Mission Viejo Nadadores, where he was mentored by Olympians Hongping Li and Janet Ely. There, he was a five-time J.O. U.S. National champion, six-time U.S. West National champion and qualified for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials (three-meter).

He graduated from USC in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in public policy, management and planning.

The above article is a press release submitted to Swimming World. To reach our audience, contact us at newsmaster@swimmingworldmagazine.com.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x