Swimming World Presents – Q&A with University of Richmond Coach Matt Barany

Swimming World March 2021 - Q and A with University of Richmond Coach Matt Barany

Coach Matt Barany [PHOTO BY UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND]

The latest issue of Swimming World Magazine
is now available for download in the Swimming World Vault!

Non-Subscribers Can Download This Issue Here

Q&A with University of Richmond Coach Matt Barany

By Michael J. Stott

His championships aside, University of Richmond head coach Matt Barany continues to push team and personal boundaries as he explores “optimal health” as a way to improve the lives of his athletes.

Matt Barany has served on the CSCAA executive board as treasurer since 2016. He also is a recognized authority and public speaker on physiology of sleep, strain and heart rate variability.

CREDENTIALS
• James Madison University, B.A., English, 1995; MBA, University of Richmond, 2014
• Senior team captain on CAA and ECAC team champion
• Head coach of women’s swimming and diving, University of Richmond, 2005-present
• Head coach of men’s and women’s swimming and diving, James Madison University, 2004-05; head men’s coach, 2001-04
• First head coach, women’s swimming, Randolph-Macon College, 1999-2001
• 11x A-10 team champions (2006-09, 2011-17); 8x A-10 coach of the year
• Old Dominion Athletic Conference, Atlantic States Conference and Randolph-Macon coach of the year, 2001
• Coached seven Olympic Trials qualifiers
• U of R swimmers have set 65 school records in 16 events during his tenure
• 2x recipient of the James Madison University Steve Miller Award recognizing athletes who best exemplify enthusiasm, energy, dedication and love for the sport

Q. SWIMMING WORLD: B.A. in English, Peace Corps teaching assignment in Kenya, swim coaching. Why did you choose the Peace Corps and ultimately a life as a swim coach?
A. COACH MATT BARANY: I applied for the Peace Corps when I was 22 and left for Kenya when I was 23. I’ll never regret it. It was a rite of passage for me. I lived without running water, electricity, mobile phones and other luxuries for 27 months—and it was awesome! I read, wrote, taught, traveled and listened to a lot of Kenny Rogers broadcasted over Kenyan AM airwaves.

My transition back to the U.S. wasn’t easy. My service overlapped with al-Qaeda’s bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, so I came home quite suddenly without a career plan and without motivation to even make a plan. Luckily, Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va. was launching a D-III program and reached out to me. I accepted the part-time job simply because I needed to grow beyond my mom’s couch.

SW: You say going to Kenya and much later getting an MBA changed you. How?
MB: Similarly to the Peace Corps, the Robins School of Business (University of Richmond) changed the way I view the world and the way I view myself in the world. I am so lucky to have had these experiences with those with whom I shared…so lucky.

SW: In 2012 you had a huge emphasis on
“process” as opposed to a concentration on season-ending championships. Nine years later is that still a focus?
MB: A lot can change in nine seasons. This COVID year requires us to focus on training because we may not be racing for a championship, and training may be all we have—although I’m optimistic we’ll race this year.

To access our complete Q&A with coach Barany,
Click here to download the complete March 2021 issue, available now!

[PHOTO CREDIT: CONNOR TRIMBLE]

Get Swimming World Magazine and Swimming World Biweekly FREE When You
Become A Member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame

New! 30 Day Membership to ISHOF AND Digital Swimming World Subscription for just $10 a month!

Want more? Get a 1 Year ISHOF Family Membership With Swimming World Print AND Digital Subscription Order Now!

Non-Subscribers can click here to download this issue for only $5.94

Swimming World March 2021 Issue

FEATURES

012 THIS SHOULD BE WELL WORTH THE WAIT
by Dan D’Addona
A year ago, all eyes were on Cal and Texas in what looked to be one of the greatest men’s NCAA Championship duels ever. Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out that showdown, but spirits are running high one year later—not only for that much anticipated Cal-Texas confrontation, but for the simple fact that college swimmers will again be able to come together and compete at a national championship.

014 YES, VIRGINIA, NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE YOUR MOVE
by Dan D’Addona
For years, Stanford and Cal have been battling each other for national supremacy at women’s NCAAs, with the Cardinal and Golden Bears finishing 1-2 in the last three championships. Before that, Cal had put together four team titles since 2009. But in 2021, look for Virginia to make its move—not only as a new rival, but quite possibly as a new champion!

016 ALL SYSTEMS GO…FOR NOW!
by Andy Ross
Although the NCAA Division III and NAIA had canceled their championship swimming and diving meets in early February, NCAA Division II was still a “go,” thereby preserving the possibility for Queens University of Charlotte to pursue its sixth straight men’s and women’s team titles.

018 DOC’S GUYS
by John Lohn
In the late 1960s into the early 1970s, Doc Counsilman’s Indiana University swimming program was a focal point of the sport. His legendary teams were a dominant presence not just on the collegiate scene, but also on the national—and international—stage.

021 THE “MOUNT RUSHMORE” OF NCAA DIVISION I SWIMMING
by Andy Ross
If there were a sculpture made of the top American NCAA Division I swimmers similar to the one depicting four U.S. Presidents on Mount Rushmore, Tracy Caulkins, Natalie Coughlin, Pablo Morales and John Naber would be worthy honorees. No other swimmer has won more NCAA D-I individual titles than those four.

024 TAKEOFF TO TOKYO: OLYMPIC RIVALRIES OF YESTERYEAR
by John Lohn
Rivalries have always defined the sport. Michael Phelps vs. Ian Crocker. Gary Hall Jr. vs. Alexander Popov. Shirley Babashoff vs. East Germany. These are just a few rivalries that stand out and should long be remembered. But what about the rivalries from the early days of swimming? As our “Takeoff to Tokyo” series continues, Swimming World takes a look at some of these rivalries from yesteryear.

026 WHO IS THIS GUY?
by David Rieder
Before the summer of 2019, Texas A&M’s Shaine Casas had been swimming under the radar. But if his performances since then are any indication, the end results could be spectacular. His coaches see his potential as basically unlimited, and recent history makes it tough to disagree. As for Casas, he has similarly lofty expectations for himself.

029 ISHOF: THE VALUE OF SWIMMING IN WAR
by Bruce Wigo
In the early 1900s, there was scarcely an American alive who was unfamiliar with the name of Frederick Funston. He was the most decorated and celebrated hero of the Philippine-American War (1899-1902)—famous in military and swimming history for his willingness to have his men swim across rivers, under fire, when, according to press reports, “They couldn’t otherwise get at the enemy quickly enough to suit them.”

COACHING

041 SPECIAL SETS: BOWE KNOWS SWIMMING
by Michael J. Stott
Bowe Becker has trained with Sandpipers of Nevada coaches Ron Aitken and Cutter Haupt as well as Kelly Kremer at the University of Minnesota (2015-19). The eight-time NCAA All-American, Big Ten champion and conference record holder in the 50-100 free now swims with the ISL’s Cali Condors. Coach Haupt provides some sample workouts from November 2014, which were done prior to that year’s December sectionals.

043 Q&A WITH COACH MATT BARANY
by Michael J. Stott

044 HOW THEY TRAIN MAGGIE PURCELL
by Michael J. Stott

TRAINING

040 DRYSIDE TRAINING: PULLING POWER
by J.R. Rosania

JUNIOR SWIMMER

046 UP & COMERS: LIAM CUSTER
by Shoshanna Rutemiller

COLUMNS

008 A VOICE FOR THE SPORT

009 DID YOU KNOW: ABOUT PRINCE DABULAMANZI & THE BATTLE OF ISANDLWANA?

011 THE OFFICIAL WORD

032 2021 SWIM CAMP DIRECTORY

047 HASTY HIGH POINTERS

048 GUTTERTALK

049 PARTING SHOT

Swimming World is now partnered with the International Swimming Hall of Fame. To find out more, visit us at ishof.org

Name*

Email*

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