{"id":189861,"date":"2016-03-07T18:39:30","date_gmt":"2016-03-08T01:39:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=189861"},"modified":"2016-03-08T13:16:21","modified_gmt":"2016-03-08T20:16:21","slug":"tim-obrien-usa-swimming-developmental-coach-of-the-year-will-be-banned-for-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/tim-obrien-usa-swimming-developmental-coach-of-the-year-will-be-banned-for-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Tim O’Brien, USA Swimming Developmental Coach of the Year, Will Be Banned for Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

Update: The day after this initial report, USA Swimming<\/strong> banned Tim O’Brien<\/strong> for life<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Swimming World<\/em> has learned that Nitro Swimming coach Tim O’Brien<\/strong> is expected to\u00a0be added to USA Swimming’s Banned for Life List<\/a> according to multiple anonymous sources.<\/p>\n

O’Brien was named developmental coach of the year by USA Swimming at the annual convention banquet just last October<\/a>. O’Brien has accepted the lifetime ban and will not appeal.<\/p>\n

Nitro Swimming head coach Mike Koleber<\/strong> has confirmed that O’Brien is no longer with the team.<\/p>\n

“I have no details other than what USA Swimming can provide, over an incident that allegedly took place years ago that recently resurfaced,” Koleber told Swimming World<\/em>. “I know nothing more. He is no longer connected with our program.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Swimming World<\/em> has also reached out to USA Swimming for comment, and\u00a0USA Swimming does not comment on any possible Safe Sport investigation.<\/p>\n

Details regarding the incident on why O’Brien will be\u00a0punished are as of yet unknown.<\/p>\n

O\u2019Brien began coaching at\u00a0Nitro Swimming when\u00a0the club officially made its debut in 2007, and the team won numerous national team titles at the very popular Texas Age Group Swimming Championships and was named a Gold Medal Club by USA Swimming in 2015<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The roster of swimmers who have achieved national and international success at Nitro had grown each year under O’Brien.<\/p>\n

Possibly the most-known name currently a part of the program is Sean Grieshop<\/strong>, who developed from national age group record setter to junior world champion<\/a> in about a year. In fact, O’Brien served as the men’s head coach for the U.S. team at that meet.<\/p>\n

Taylor Abbott<\/strong> expanded the program\u2019s success to open water in 2014 with a win in the 5K at the junior open water world championships<\/a>. Abbott also earned silver in the 1500 free at the 2015\u00a0summer\u2019s junior world championships to give Nitro two medalists at the meet.<\/p>\n

Two alumni of the team \u2014 Will Licon<\/strong> and Matt Ellis<\/strong> \u2014 are now national champions not far away at the University of Texas.<\/p>\n