Sean Schimmel is out as the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks, with his departure from the program coming just two days after the completion of the 2016 NCAA Championships where the Razorbacks failed to score. The school has officially called Schimmel’s departure a “resignation” without comment from him.
Schimmel came to Arkansas in 2012 after the program at Maryland was eliminated after his final season there. In 4 seasons as the program’s head coach, Schimmel’s Razorbacks scored at NCAAs twice (26th in his first year in 2013 and tied for 44th in 2015). Arkansas had scored in each of the 5 seasons prior to Schimmel’s arrival.
“I appreciate the four years Coach Schimmel invested in our women’s swimming and diving program and wish him the best as he moves forward in his career,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long said. “We will conduct a national search to find a leader who will put us in the position to compete in the SEC and on the national level.”
In the SEC Conference, the Razorbacks placed 6th in each of Schimmel’s first two seasons – matching the placement in their last year under departed head coach Jeff Poppell. In 2015, however, they dropped to 10th place, and recovered only to 9th in 2016. The team did, however, break school records in 13 out of 19 swimming events during Schimmel’s tenure.
In November of this year, Arkansas assistant head coach Todd Mann resigned to take over the local Razorback Aquatic Club AquaHawgs as the head coach.
Best wishes to Sean. He is a very good coach and has had some amazing athletes. Takes kids that are average and makes them pretty darn good swimmers. Look at the Maryland ladies at the end. None of those girls were high school studs. I hate seeing this happen to anyone. Man has a family, moved his life to Arkansas for the job. Now kids will be in a new school, probably a new state. I feel for the family in these situations. It can happen to any of us college coaches at any time. No matter the reason, this is just not fun seeing.
I hate to see it happen this way.
Sean,
I wish you and your family the best.
How about we worry more in improving the Razorback mens basketball program first?
Why does Men’s Basketball have to be more important then swimming?
Because Football, Men’s Basketball, and to a lesser extent Baseball are the revenue generating sports that provide for swimming, soccer, softball, lacrosse and all the other lesser sports. I like swimming, but this is the reality of college athletics and why Men’s Basketball is more important.
Just because basketball is revenue generating doesn’t mean that swimming is any less important. Basketball, football and baseball do not provide all the money to support swimming and other sports. No matter the amount of money Arkansas has ever had, basketball has not been a successful program in 20+ years. And no matter how much money it brings in, the UofA simply does not hire or recruit well enough to have a consistently successful program for men’s basketball. But this is all besides the point. Financially I understand what you are saying, but to say that they wholly support swimming and other sports is incorrect. Additionally, from a student athlete perspective swimming, soccer, softball and even lacrosse (just an club… Read more »
I feel like Parisi has a pretty good thing going for him. Not sure Arkansas is an upgrade.
University of Arkansas needs to take a close look at Greg Parini from Denison University and Dr. Sam Freas From Oklahoma Baptiste University.
Why would Parini leave Denison? He’s got a great gig. He just won a national championship, and he’s one of only two coaches not from Kenyon in the last 35 years to coach a championship team. In fact, he’s the only coach besides Kenyon coaches to win team titles for men and women. His teams stopped both Kenyon championships streaks. Denison has a new pool, better than the one in Fayetteville. Freas has already been in Fayetteville.
Dear Baldingeagle:
Because it’s a SEC school and more money.
While I have not discussed Arkansas with Gregg, past discussions have indicated his excitement and desire to stay in Granville. If memory serves me correctly, in addition to his coaching responsibilities, he does have teaching duties at Denison that he enjoys. I believe he is the department chair of Physical Education, or a leadership capacity position. Six boys with roots probably factor into his relocation plans as well. 29 years at Granville could mean he owns, or is about to own a house outright. Relocation could change that let alone enter the Parini’s into the real estate roller-coaster / process. To a younger coach, a SEC / higher profile jump may seem a no brainer. To an older established coach… Read more »