The Ohio State Buckeyes have added former standout Michael Hulme back onto its roster – this time as the program’s new assistant coach.
Hulme was a four-year letterwinner with Ohio State from 2007 to 2011, graduating with a degree in economics and political science. He was part of Ohio State’s 2010 Big Ten Championship team, which won the conference title in the team’s home pool.
Since then, Hulme has bounced around the coaching ranks, spending most of his time in the Big Ten. He was an assistant coach for the Purdue women right after graduating, spent the next year as an assistant at Denver, jumped to Michigan State for a season and then returned to Denver, where he coached last season.
It’s a homecoming for Hulme, who swam for Ohio State coach Bill Wadley in college and called Wadley a longtime mentor.
“Bill has been a mentor of mine ever since I started swimming for him, and especially since I started coaching,” Hulme said in Ohio State’s press release. “Many of my coaching mentors have come through here. It’s cool to be back here and sitting on this side of the desk. I’m excited to start working with Bill, he’s done some really amazing things for this program.”
Ohio State is one of the top programs in the Big Ten, particularly on the men’s side, where the Buckeyes are the last team to win a Big Ten title since Michigan’s six-year run, and are one of a couple programs (Indiana being another) within striking distance of the Wolverines this coming season.
The full Ohio State press release:
Columbus, Ohio— The Ohio State men’s swimming program has added a familiar face to its coaching staff.
Michael Hulme has been named an assistant coach for the Buckeyes.
A member of Ohio State’s 2010 Big Ten Championship team, Hulme returns to his alma mater after making coaching stops at Purdue, Michigan State, and Denver. Most recently he helped lead the Pioneers to two Summit League Championships on both the men’s and women’s side, as well as guiding the women to their first Mid-Major Championship.
“This is a dream come true for me,” said Hulme on his return to Columbus. “I’ve loved Ohio State since I was a kid. My dad swam here, I swam here, this is where I want to be. My family and friends have all been beyond supportive and encouraging of me, and they’re all excited to see me back in the Scarlet and Gray. Having Coach Wadley give me the opportunity to come back and be a part of the program again is really exciting and I can’t wait to get going.”
A four-year letterwinner as a Buckeye, Hulme also received Honorable Mention Scholar All-American honors all four years and was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
Hulme’s Big Ten Championship isn’t the only notable swimming accolade he’s earned. The Bozeman, Montana native also qualified for and competed in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, finishing 27th in the 400 individual medley; he also swam in the 2008 U.S. Open, the 2009 U.S. World Championship Trials, the 2010 National Championships and the 2011 U.S. Nationals/World Championship Trials.
After spending four years as a student-athlete under the watch of head coach Bill Wadley, he’s ready for the chance to work beside him.
“Bill has been a mentor of mine ever since I started swimming for him, and especially since I started coaching,” Hulme said. “Many of my coaching mentors have come through here. It’s cool to be back here and sitting on this side of the desk. I’m excited to start working with Bill, he’s done some really amazing things for this program.
“I’m very excited to be a part of Ohio State Athletics again, where excellence is an expectation and everyone has such a passion to succeed. Go Bucks!”
Hulme will see his first regular season action with the Buckeyes on October 28 when Ohio State hosts Kenyon to open up its 2016-17 season.
