Brown University announced three big additions to its coaching staff this week, naming Chris Dart the men’s assistant, Sam Speroni the women’s assistant and Sydnee Lindblom as a volunteer assistant.
The Brown staff underwent major changes this offseason as longtime coach Peter Brown retired and the school split its men’s and women’s programs as it looked for new coaches.
New men’s coach Chris Ip announced the hiring of Dart as his assistant. Dart is a former ACC champ for Clemson as well as a former member of the Great Britain Junior National Team. He spent last year coaching at the Camana Bay Aquatics Club in the Cayman Islands.
Meanwhile women’s head coach Kate Kovenock announced the pickup of former Brown star Speroni and former Kenyon All-American Lindblom for the women’s team.
Speroni was a two-time captain of the program just a few years ago. A distance freestyler and 400 IMer, Speroni graduated in 2011. Lindblom was a distance freestyler as well, earning All-America honors for Division III powerhouse Kenyon. She swam as recenly as last season, scoring in three races at the NCAA Championships.
Good thing Brown got rid of the most recent deadweight Assistant Coach who worked under Peter Brown. (Prior assistant coaches Temujin and Kristy were amazing!)
The most recent assistant coach took a powerless position and his lack or take charge attitude sunk Brown bigtime; I hope that does not hurt this recruiting year. The new mens’ and womens’ coaches are amazing, but since they were not in place until August, there was a lot of ground to make up for this recruiting season. With the new facility and two new fabulous head coaches, hopefully they will be able to recover from a slow start to the recruiting season.
Brown doesn’t know how lucky they are with getting Chris Dart as the assistant men’s coach! It may take some time, but keep an eye on those Bears!
Dave, are you related to Jay Bott? We were team meets in college.