SOMERS, Wisconsin, May 20. TED Knapp, Derek Perkins and Joe Hendee were all named Assistant Coach-of-the-Year by CollegeSwimming.com this morning. Perkins, of Clemson University was cited as the top Rising Assistant in the sport while Stanford University's Knapp and the late Joe Hendee of Tennessee were recognized as in the Lifetime/Career Category.
Perkins was selected on the basis of his impact with a Clemson team in crisis. Faced with a failing pool and a team targeted for elimination, Perkins helped the Tigers to the highest finish at the NCAA Championships. Said Clemson swimmer Derrek Barre, There's not a doubt in my mind that Derek should be coaching a top ten program," said Clemson Derek Barre in support of Perkins' candidacy, "and that he could take Clemson there if he had the time." Click here for more on Perkins including student-athlete essays.
Knapp, the longtime assistant to Stanford's Skip Kenney has helped the Cardinal to seven NCAA team titles. "Ted is essential to the success of Stanford swimming and is such an important part of the team that we think of Ted as a second head coach," explained swimmer David Mosko. "Swimming for a coach with a commitment like Ted's has helped me to develop as a swimmer, a student, and a person." Click here for more on Knapp.
CollegeSwimming.com also awarded posthumous Coach-of-the-Year honors to Tennessee's Joe Hendee. Hendee served as the Volunteer's assistant coach for thirty years before succumbing to Glioblastomathis past Easter. Hendee was known for his contributions to the sport both nationally and locally. "One of the most influential quotes for the UT men's team comes from 2 Timothy 4-7: Fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith," explained Geoffrey Sanders. "I can say that generations of Tennessee Volunteers have become better men because of Joe. He is one of the few true Volunteers who can say that they have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith." Click here for more on Hendee.
In addition to the three selections, CollegeSwimming.com also recognized three "Honorable Mention" selections in both the Rising and Career Assistant Coach-of-the-Year honors.
Assistant Coach-of-the-Year Honorable Mention Selections (Rising Assistant)
Chris Brammer, Davidson University
Chip Kline, University of Virginia
Brad Thornton, Stevens Institute
Assistant Coach-of-the-Year Honorable Mention Selections (Lifetime/Career Assistant)
Andy Hancock, Cleveland State University
Mike Miller, Lewis & Clark College
Anthony Nesty, University of Florida
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