Joe Plane, the head coach at Iowa Central Community College, has resigned from his position, multiple sources have told SwimSwam.
Neither the school’s athletics director nor Plane responded to SwimSwam’s requests for comments on the resignation, and its unusual timing six weeks after the start of the academic term. The school still has Plane listed as the program’s head coach and his wife, Jaime Plane, listed as the program’s assistant, though members of the team say that she was not involved as far as they are aware.
Bryce Pierce was hired over the summer as their new assistant coach. Pierce is managing the team in the interim, and the school has posted a job listing to hire Joe Plane‘s replacement.
The school has not updated its roster or schedule for the current season, nor has it posted any news or updates about the program since the NJCAA Championships in March.
According to an Instagram post by the school, however, the swim team raced on Saturday at home against nearby Iowa Lakes Community College. Plane put in his resignation on Sunday, and student-athletes were informed on Monday.
Plane was hired at Iowa Central before the 2016-2017 season, where he continued to build off the success from his predecessor Mike Peterson. In his first year, both teams finished a program-best-matching 3rd at the NJCAA National Championships. In 2019, the program had its first-ever swimming national champion when Emile Lutzeler won the 50 breast, part of a 2nd-place team finish for the men, their best ever.
At the most recent NJCAA Championship, Iowa Central’s women finished 3rd behind Indian River and Southwestern Oregon, while the men finished 4th behind Indian River, SW Oregon, and Barton Community College.
Prior to his time at Iowa Central, he coached under Jim Richardson at the University of Michigan from 203-2006.
As part of the NJCAA, Iowa Central’s student-athletes only stay with the program for two seasons, before some transfer to compete at four-year schools.
It’s disappointing Iowa Central didn’t want more information about the complaint. They didn’t investigate enough to show an ounce of respect for their employee – a coach that had been there for years with a great reputation. Sure, they asked a few swimmers some questions. Probably just to cover their butts. I don’t believe for a second the “investigation” was thorough. Coach Plane was president of the NJCAA swim coaches association and had been named Coach of the Year. Could’ve easily had many many current and past swimmers and coaches vouch for him. But apparently it wouldn’t have mattered. It’s really unfortunate that one past disgruntled swimmer’s accusations resulted in Plane being led to believe that resignation was his only… Read more »
The team got an obligatory discussion late last week from the Athletic Director, reinforcing that the swimmers options are limited as far as finding another school option. If the school actually meets their goal of finding replacement coach by mid December, all is not lost, except for some of the sophmores that need late fall meet performance in order to have some options to move into higher levels. I hear Joe is still around and has provided the assistant some of his notes. If he is there and available why not consider bringing him back to the team as a consultant?
Who cares about community college swimming?
You seem like a nice person
Be nice
My team uses a 50 meter community college pool…..so me for one. As well as all of the swimmers in our area who are able to use the pool for swim team, polo and lessons.
NCAA Division 1, 2, & 3 coaches care (as they tend to recruit many of those athletes who are late bloomers).
Maybe they used to care, but these days, there’s not nearly the same depth, number, or quality of transfers from JuCos. It seems as though NCAA schools have gotten way better at figuring out how to get talented kids in round 1. Emile mentioned above, for example, never turned up at a four year college (on a swim team anyway) as far as I can tell.
You ain’t paying attention. There are lots of swimmers coming out of the top 3 JuCo teams from their Nats going on to NCAA.
Indian River talent is a regular pipeline to FSU as an example. Billy Cruz, IC, recruited to USC. Do your homework.
Florida State currently has 1 Indian River swimmer on its men’s and women’s rosters combined.
As a former JUCO student-athlete I had the opportunity to continue my career in the sport. Complete my AA and move onto a premier NCAA school and win a National Championship.
Sad that you believe that the only way to success is not caring about the community college route.
From a fan standpoint not many, but every swimmer looking for opportunities to compete beyond the senior age group level and obtain an education should.
1. Schools have limited scholarships especially for men, and most spread them out making the school not affordable.
2. You might have the speed to compete a mid major or d1 level but not the grades to get in.
I wish there were more opportunities for swimming like basketball at the JUCO level.
Although Braden likes to mention that many swimming families will pay the tuition etc… but how many people do we lose who can’t or don’t have the money to compete past their high school teams. This is how we got Lenny… Read more »
defamation of character via false allegations from a disgrunted swimmer. Shameful and so disgraceful of this particular person who
made the accusations against him while knowing they were false and did so with the intent of hurting his job standing along his reputation.
More info?
“Disgruntled Swimmer Accuses Coach of Misconduct/Abuse/NotBeingNiceyNice” -trademark pending
Nail.hit.head. This is so right on.
Is this the story behind the story? Was he set up by a swimmer under his tutelage?
I find the timing of the resignation suspect, considering it followed by a day their first meet. That timing erases any opportunity for the swimmers to exit program and find suitable alternative. They lose a year of eligibility and likely get an inferior year of training. I wouldn’t be surprised if the school is behind this timing issue in some way. This is nothing against the assistant Bryce. His credentials for this role are solid but apparently doesn’t feel like right opportunity for him to pursue. Too bad, as this team is filled with talent and desire, needing strong guidance and the occasional “push”. Joe has said his training regime is not HighSchool 2.0, so his swimmers better be ready… Read more »
What the heck…? Seems out of character.
@Braden Keith, it’s already Tuesday and the SS Breakdown is nowhere to be found 🤷♂️🤷♂️.
When is it going to be uploaded ?
who?
Joe Plane. It’s in the title. Surprised you didn’t see it before making a comment.
Reading. It’s underrated.
“Keep” your mouth shut
The head coach of Iowa Central. I think his name is Joe Plane.