Soon after we learned that a third Indiana University coach would be departing the program, as Caitlin Hamilton was named the new head coach at Illinois State, the Hoosiers’ staff is reloading in a big way.
SwimSwam reported last week that coaching veteran Jonty Skinner is expected to fill the void left by associate head sprint coach Coley Stickels (who is the new head coach at Alabama), and now, head coach Ray Looze is adding former Arizona associate head coach Cory Chitwood, known primarily as a distance coach, to his staff. Indiana assistant sprint coach Kirk Grand also left IU in April, potentially leaving one more assistant spot open.
A 2012 Arizona graduate and swim team captain, Chitwood was an assistant under current Arizona head coach Augie Busch at the University of Virginia and made the move back to Arizona with him in July 2017. At Virginia, the now-30-year-old Chitwood was the primary coach for Olympic medalist Leah Smith during her NCAA career. Smith followed him to Arizona after taking bronze in the 400 free in Rio, and has recently hit her stride in the 800, going a best time at the Richmond Pro Swim Series early in April.
Chitwood, along with Indiana’s Looze and Louisville’s Arthur Albiero, was an assistant to Greg Meehan on the Team USA women’s staff of the 2017 FINA World Championships.
Chitwood and fellow Arizona assistant Beth Botsford, as reported by SwimSwam, parted ways with the program last month. Chitwood’s major Worlds appointment, coupled with his NCAA assistant coaching success, put him in the conversation as a potential candidate for one of the many open NCAA head coaching positions.
So can we talk about who he has coached besides Leah? never seen him produce a Male either. Maybe leah coaches herself. Best thing is we will see less of those horrifying red and white stripes with him there in replace of stickles
Corey is not replacing Stickles. He will work with Mike Westphal coaching with mid-distance and Distance group Jonty will be coaching the IU sprinters. The Team will do just fine with the addition of the new staff. I am expecting the female sprinters to do great things and the male sprinters will continue to thrive.
“The Hooziers’ staff…”. I see what you did there.
Hozer? Strange brew reference?
Hoosiers + Looze = Hooziers
I thought it was cleaver, but it looks like the article has been updated and changed to “Hoosiers.”
Leave it to Ray to pick up the scraps. Guess he wants to win at all costs.
Everyone is given a second chance at something in life. Maybe we should stop judging Cory on his past and move forward. Seems like many are saying his future is already sealed. He has incredible buy in by his athletes. You learn from making mistakes. Here’s to hoping Cory makes a positive change in his life. Let’s be positive for a change and stop focusing on the negatives in everything.
Is that what you would have said to his wife?
that’s A joke
What do people think Leah will do?
Swim fast?
lmao you bogus
IU is getting some incredible talent in coaching. IU may be back on the hunt for another dynasty like the 60s and 70s. First Jonty and now Cory? Wow!
IU has lost far more talent than they’ve gained in terms of staff. Working with Ray seems to be an obstacle that is too much to overcome for many.