Clif Robbins Newest Addition to Virginia Staff

Augie Busch now has four of an expected 5-coach staff filled out, as his assistant Clif Robbins is reported according to several sources (including the University of Houston) to be joining him at the University of Virginia next season as an assistant.

Robbins joins Augie Busch, Sammy Busch, and Cory Chitwood on this totally new Virginia staff that takes over after the retirement of the most successful coach in program history Mark Bernardino on July 1st.

Robbins has grown up a true Texan. He is originally from Allen, which is far to the south in the state, before going on to Texas, where he was a four-year letter winner. He majored in chemical engineering, but instead of sticking to that potentially-lucrative field, he jumped into coaching instead.

He began as the head coach and aquatics program director at the River Oaks Country Club in downtown Houston, while simultaneously serving as a volunteer assistant for the Cougars.

Prior to the 2012-2013 season, though, he was promoted to the team’s full-time assistant, at which time Augie Busch had a glowing review:

“Clif is a talented teacher with a great eye for technique and his drive for student-athletes improvement is very evident,” Augie said of the hire at the University of Houston. “I have come to know him well in my time here in Houston and have been nothing but impressed with his character, passion, and desire to excel in the coaching profession. I see him making an immediate and positive impact in our program here at UH.”

This staff, when completed will give Virginia’s new head coach in the least a strong support structure of people he knows well and trusts, as he leaps into his first big-time head coaching job. This familiarity should create a strong staff chemistry that will have no growing pains, despite being fully united for the first time this fall.

Our sources tell us that Virginia is still looking to add a diving coach and one more assistant (likely female) to the staff.

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FREERELAY
10 years ago

2 thumbs up! Keep your eye on this young man. Robbins is an exceptional coach!

LJONES
10 years ago

Bravo Mr. Busch! Great hire!

swimnational
10 years ago

Clif will be an asset to UVA. Great choice!

Maria McGinity
10 years ago

Clif is a great addition to any organization. Houston has lost a remarkable guy making UVA very fortunate to have him. Great hire! Watch him…he will be one of the great ones!

What?
10 years ago

Does that mean they let Doak Finch go too, what are they thinking. It must have been a real mess there for them to totally clean house like that.

robbins' boss
10 years ago

Better hire than Chitwood

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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