Favorite Stroke(s): side stroke,  Freestyle; Fly ( w/ fins), breast, elementary back, Combat side stroke, trudgeon, Backstroke…in that order if I am swimming it….Fly fly fly if we are talking about the kids

Personal Swimming Experiences:
My family loves water, we drove 8 hours to my grandparents to go water skiing almost every weekend from Mid may, to Mid september in Indiana. I never chose to compete in swimming but I love the water.

My coaching career began in Northern Kentucky, where I took over a recreational YMCA team and spent two years successfully building the program's structure and schedule. This effort resulted in a successful transition for the team into competitive swimming, exposing me to the sport's true competitive demands under the tutelage of the ABLY staff.

After a brief return to teaching, I resumed coaching in Southern Missouri, gaining experience with the Castaways club and expanding my skill set as the High School Dive Coach for the Jackson Indians.

The next pivotal phase occurred in Southern Indiana with the Castle Hills Sea Creatures. The team’s leadership, which included a professional swimmer with strong ties to the Indiana University (IU) swimming program, provided invaluable exposure to high-caliber athletes and training methodologies. Working alongside numerous IU alumni coaches solidified my understanding of elite-level technique and aerobic training.

Relocating to Huntsville, Alabama, I returned to the YMCA, focusing on program development by successfully building their summer league program and establishing a dedicated swim team development program, creating a robust pipeline for young swimmers.

My journey culminated in Wisconsin, where I served as an Age Group Coach for the YMCA for two years. Applying the knowledge and skills accumulated across recreational, developmental, and elite programs, I achieved significant competitive success, qualifying more athletes to the State level than the team had in its previous history.

Education:
*Where did (do) you study Illinois State University
*What did (do) you study: Philosophy

Things I enjoy, when not on the pool deck: Hang with my wife and explore the food scene, chilling  with my cats, Read, think about the next practice, play computer games. 

Favorite Quote(s): Consistency Matters

Goals or things that sum up what it is for you to be a coach? 

My greatest joy as a coach is sharing my profound love for the water with every athlete, hoping to ignite the same passion in them. I embrace the competitive side of swimming, but I believe the true beauty of the sport lies in its technical execution and the scientific process of physical development.

Swimming is an art form to me—a perfectly executed freestyle, a powerful butterfly, and even a correctly performed breaststroke are magnificent to watch. I am fascinated by the science of swimming and the endless nuances of technique. Because there is no single 'right answer' in optimizing movement, coaching becomes a dynamic exploration of physical development, allowing me to find a personalized path for every individual athlete.