UPDATE: Indiana University Fires Mike Westphal After Arrest

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

UPDATE: Indiana University fired associate head swimming coach Mike Westphal on Thursday after it was earlier reported he was arrested on charges of allegedly intimidating a former Indiana athlete who is now a local swim coach.

Indiana University released a statement on the incident which can be viewed below:

“Today, associate head swimming coach Mike Westphal’s employment was terminated effective immediately related to an incident that is detailed in the probable cause affidavit from the Bloomington Police Department.”

ORIGINAL REPORT

Indiana associate swimming head coach Mike Westphal was arrested on charges of allegedly intimidating a former Indiana athlete who is now a local swim coach, according to multiple news outlets.

Intimidation is a misdemeanor.

According to court records, Westphal met with former IU swimmer Max Irwin to discuss merging two swim clubs — Indiana Swim Club, where Westphal is on the board of directors, and Btown Aquatics, where Irwin coaches. At the meeting, which Irwin recorded, Westphal encouraged Irwin to support the merger and threatened him if he didn’t.

According to the affidavit, Westphal “said that he could be an (expletive), is ruthless and would squash him (Irwin),” the affidavit reads, according to The Indy Star. According to the document, Westphal suggested that, if he made that information public, Irwin could be stripped of the ability to coach in the area.

“Westphal says that he is more powerful in the swimming community than (Irwin) is,” the affidavit reads. “He continues to say that (Irwin) doesn’t want (Westphal) to turn against him, and that if he does, he can promise him, he won’t continue to be part of the coaching community.”

The affidavit was signed Aug. 23 and released six days later, according to The Indy Star.

Westphal was arrested on Aug. 30 and released on bail.

Indiana Athletics issued the following statement regarding Westphal.

“Indiana University Athletics has been made aware of the incident involving Indiana University associate head swimming coach Mike Westphal. IU Athletics will continue to gather facts and take further action as it deems appropriate.”

Read the full Indy Star story here.

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

Name*

Email*

2 Comments

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Miranda Emaus

4 years ago

Anne Emaus

Emily Kennedy

4 years ago

Leslie Evans McCall