{"id":639715,"date":"2026-03-24T10:03:31","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T17:03:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=639715"},"modified":"2026-03-24T10:03:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T17:03:31","slug":"indiana-diving-coach-drew-johansen-releases-letter-defending-ncaa-changes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/indiana-diving-coach-drew-johansen-releases-letter-defending-ncaa-changes\/","title":{"rendered":"Indiana Diving Coach Drew Johansen Releases Letter Defending NCAA Changes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Indiana Diving Coach Drew Johansen Releases Letter Defending NCAA Changes<\/strong><\/p>\n

Long-time Indiana diving coach Drew Johansen<\/strong> released an open letter on Tuesday defending the changes to the NCAA Championships, calling them the result of \u201cforward thinking\u201d.<\/p>\n

Johansen backed the thought process that went into the changes, harping five different times on the format change\u2019s effect on the Championships as a television product. He derided the old format as one that was \u201cnot friendly to live TV.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis broadcast now serves as a proof of concept that we can present to networks to market our product and strengthen our position within our universities, conferences, and the NCAA,\u201d Johansen wrote, in all bold.<\/p>\n

Johansen\u2019s take runs directly counter to many, many responses from swimmers at meet who were not enamored with the new format, which included different event lineups, the elimination of B finals and split diving finals.<\/p>\n

Johansen shifts to an ominous tone that sounds like a warning for those who don\u2019t get in line.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to stay aware that the final outcome of the \u201cHouse Settlement\u201d is yet to be determined. Your daughters, your sons, and our coaches all benefit immensely from the schools, conferences, and the NCAA. We receive career opportunities in coaching, facilities for training. Your children receive scholarships for education, medical care, room, board, and much, much more. However, this support could be jeopardized if we fail to evolve with our schools, conferences, and network partners to enhance the value of the sport that is so passionately supported by the American college system.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

NCAA Meet Controversy<\/h4>\n