Urbanchek and Steele Appointed First “Master Coach Consultants” for USA Swimming

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., April 7. USA Swimming announced today that Jon Urbanchek and Bob Steele will be joining the organization as the first ever Master Coach Consultants, a newly formed part-time position. In this role, Urbanchek and Steele will provide field service consultation and support to coaches and clubs. The goal of the positions is to enhance athlete performance and educate and mentor coaches.

"The intent of the Master Coach Consultant program is to utilize the talents and experience of great coaches with recognized achievement at the highest levels of coaching," said Pat Hogan, USA Swimming Club Development Director.

"When you survey the deck at our Nationals, it’s apparent that over the next several years we could lose a significant number of outstanding coaches to retirement. This program is a way for us to reinvest that talent and expertise in our club programs."

Urbanchek led the University of Michigan’s men’s program for 22 years, leading the team to several top three NCAA finishes as well as producing swimmers who have represented their countries in the last five Olympic Games. Among his many notable pupils are Olympic gold medalists and world record-breakers Tom Dolan, Tom Malchow and Mike Barrowman. Urbanchek was an assistant coach on the U.S. staff at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games. Before his time at the Michigan helm, he spent 20 years coaching in Southern California. He has twice been named the ASCA (American Swim Coaches Association) Coach of the Year.

"I look forward to continuing in the sport of swimming and the opportunity to give something back by sharing my experience with younger coaches," said Urbanchek.

Steele has been coaching at California State-Bakersfield since 1997, leading the team to five Division II national championship titles. He has been named NCAA Division II Coach of the Year four times in that span, including this year. Steele coached the Southern Illinois University team for 11 years prior to that, leading the school to nine NCAA top-20 finishes. He also had coaching stints at Northwestern and at the high school level in the Midwest.

Steele, a former USA Swimming employee (Director of Athlete/Coach Programs, 1986-95), has remained active with the organization as a volunteer, serving on numerous committees.

"It's great for retired coaches to be asked to use our knowledge to help coaches enrich young swimmers’ experiences in our great sport and help them raise their level of aspiration to their coaches’ level of expectation," said Steele. "It's a win-win situation for American swimming. I look forward to helping USA Swimming increase the effectiveness of identifying talented young people and enriching their opportunities to ‘be the best they can be.'"

Starting in September, Urbanchek and Steele will work a to-be-determined number of weeks per year visiting clubs and coaches around the country. They will spend a few days with each club, observing practices, meeting with the coaching staff, answering questions, and offering advice. In addition to field service, the Master Coaches will participate in USA Swimming –sponsored coach education clinics and programs. USA Swimming hopes to eventually expand the program to include several prominent coaches.

"Our commitment to the Master Coach program is rock solid for the long-term,” said Chuck Wielgus, USA Swimming Executive Director. "I envision Jon and Bob being the first of what will over time become a large corps of Master Coach 'consultants' who will continue to help USA Swimming maintain its stature as the #1 swimming nation in the world.

"To ensure the continual growth and health of our sport, it only makes sense for us to find ways to keep people like Coach Urbanchek and Coach Steele involved," added Wielgus. "The Master Coach program will do this in a way that not only eases their transition into retirement, but ensures that we are capturing and sharing the lifetime of knowledge and wisdom that they have gained."

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