University of Michigan assistant coach Mark Hill has resigned from his role with the program, and Sam Wensman has been named internally as his replacement.
According to anonymous sources close to the program, Hill’s next stop will be with the Old Dominion Aquatic Club in Virginia, where he will be working with the age group team and running clinics. Those same sources indicated that Hill left the Michigan program on good terms, and this decision was more about spending time with his young children.
Hill was a full-time assistant over the last 4 seasons with Michigan, and before that spent 3 years as a volunteer assistant. In his 7 seasons in Ann Arbor, many of which were before the men’s and women’s teams were combined, the Wolverines came away with all 7 men’s Big Ten championships, as well as the 2013 NCAA Championship – the 12th in program history. He served as an Olympic Team coach for Trinidad & Tobago in 2012 while helping George Bovell to a 7th-place finish in the 50 free.
Hill’s previous stops include as an age group and high school coach in the Florida Keys, including at the Race Club, where he first hooked up with current Michigan head coach Mike Bottom. He was also an assistant at Washington College and with the Sho’men Aquatics Group. His coaching career began as an undergraduate at Maryland, where he was a four-time school record holder, All-ACC swimmer, and team captain before serving as a student assistant during his last season as an undergrad.
His replacement, Sam Wensman, is a Michigan alumni who as an athlete overlapped with the Wolverines between Bottom and his predecessor, 2016 U.S. Olympic Men’s Team coach Bob Bowman. Wensman was promoted to this position the same way Hill was – after spending time as a volunteer assistant with the varsity program.
Wensman has also worked with the Club Wolverine Elite post-grad group based out of Michigan, including working heavily with Japanese Olympian and U.S. open Record holder Junya Koga.
In his new stop, at the Old Dominion Aquatic Club, Hill will work both as an age group coach and to launch a clinics business. The head coach of that program, Steve Bialorucki, has been there since 1994 and has a long history of success nationally that includes coaching Joe Hudepohl – a two-time Olympic champion, former World-Record holder, and 25 years later still one of the greatest high school swimmers in history.
Mark had a few issues this year due to his “passion.”
Care to go into detail? I’ve heard and seen nothing, but great things about the guy
Mark and I swam and captained the team together at Maryland. He is the ultimate competitor. I’m sure he will take this to Old Dominion and I know he will continue to give everything to his wife and children. Best of luck Hill, you’re a true champion!
Not a step back when you put family first… I got out of coaching entirley because of my children and don’t regret it for a second.. He may have gotten to a point where he realized that he didn’t have the time to dedicate to his current position, let alone working towards a head position at another school. I’m sure he will make a cut of his camps which can be very lucrative if you get a ton of kids out, and I’m sure he will. Also, coaching age group kids and not running the club is way less time consuming.. Applaud your decision, Mark!
Mark is an awesome guy and coach and helped me a lot during my time at Michigan. I know he will do great things moving forward. As far as Sam goes, quality guy who is has a great passion for Michigan and will (continue to) do a tremendous job for them. Congrats to you both! Go Blue!
You’ve taught us so much Mark, both in and out of the pool. We will all miss you and wish you the best of luck in your new position! Go Blue!
Seems like this is a step backwards for him? He always seemed to be so passionate about his job at MI. Doesn’t MBottom have young kids also to spend time with?? To bad something couldn’t have been worked out for him & his family time. MI losing a great guy. Good luck in your new job Mark!