Arizona assistant Tracy Duchac has stepped down from her role as an assistant after one season with the Wildcats. The newly-married coach is expecting her first child with husband Adam Slusser in December, and the pair will return to Texas where he will pursue professional opportunities as an engineer.
Duchac’s coaching stock skyrocketed early in her career; she was a volunteer assistant coach with Purdue as a 5th-year senior, after completing her eligibility, and was part of the Boilermakers’ run to one of the most successful seasons in school history. She was then snapped up by Texas A&M and coach Steve Bultman as his chief assistant with the Aggies, where that team became a powerhouse and perennial top-10 team.
Last season, when Eric Hansen took over the reigns at Arizona, he brought in Duchac to fill one of his assistant roles. Hansen came from Wisconsin, and with Duchac being a Wisconsin native and a former Big Ten athlete herself, there was a bit of familiarity there. Duchac is best-known for her work with sprinters, which fits her skills as a swimmer (she was the first Purdue woman ever under 23 seconds in the 50 free).
This job, along with assistant coaching positions at Ohio State and Stanford, plus the head coaching job for the Stanford women, are the biggest jobs still on the market, so expect quite a few more dominoes to fall. This late in the season, after most programs have started practice, some of these gigs may be filled from the club ranks as well.
There was some confusion earlier this summer after former Cal All-American Deborah Roth confirmed to us that she would be transferring to Arizona. We have received confirmation from sources close to the program that Roth is, in fact, enrolled in classes at Arizona, but will sit out a year before competing for the Wildcats. That will suit the program just fine, as they will have a much bigger need for a backstroker next season than they will this season, with Lauren Smart having one more year.
Since she just took a job at Stanford so much for the time with family excuse
Yeah for some reason, Eric and the ladies at AZ have struggled?!?!
Yes, I hear there is another story, which has nothing to do with her family. Four women swimmers leave, now a coach. What is the common denominator?
Great question.
J.C. – Now that you point it out. I find it interesting that the women seem to be leaving the program because while at Wisconsin, Eric Hansen seemed to have better results with the women’s program. I wonder what the difference is?
The article says She is expecting her first child in December and will to return to Texas with her husband where he will pursue professional opportunities as an engineer. It certainly seems like she made a family first decision and is to be congratulated. She will be missed.
A great coach isn’t defined by gender, age, race, religious affiliation or sexual orientation, they are defined by actions. If Tracy is leaving Arizona because she thinks it’s best for her growing family then she’ll be teaching her team one of the most valuable lessons in life–family comes first. That said, I have a feeling we’ll find out the real reason Tracy’s leaving as soon as someone takes the time to ask her.
Are you implying something is amiss on the pool deck in Tucson???
No, I’m implying that Tracy’s motives for resigning are speculation at this point and that the remarks judging her decisions are without merit–for many reasons.
Show me the NCAA rule that says you have to have a woman on staff.
JG hit it right on….this is not a female issue. It is hard to stay in the sport for anyone, especially at the DI level. To be good you need to dedicate your life to it. No other way around it. Not just swimming. Look at Urban Meyer and his “contract with his family” and his health issues from overwork, stress, etc. Such is the price to pay for greatness.
It is very difficult to be a swim coach & parent -male or female.
If you only want single men & (maybe ) women to coach then admit it.
Then there is a slight problem of …….
In the end another set of parents must trust their child /college swimmer to a set of people. Most parents will feel happier with a coaching set up that reflects social norms not freako world.
I have no need to hide behind a username. But Tracy Duchac is a great coach and even better person. She has helped allot with our program and is much more than a female filler hire. We will truly miss Tracy as a men’s and women’s team but we wish her the best in her future endeavors. And I know the entire University of Arizona team agrees with how I feel.
Giles ,thanks for stepping up and sharing your inside knowledge …good karma and good luck on this swim season for you …