Though most of the coaches had been pieced together already, the Michigan Wolverines have announced their full coaching staff for next season. This is notable, as it completes the reorganization of the men’s and women’s programs from two separate programs to unification under head coach Mike Bottom.
Dr. Josh White will continue on to his 5th season, and has been named the associate head coach for the men’s team. Rick Bishop was given the same role with the women’s team after four seasons spent at USA Swimming working in various sports performance roles.
White’s star has skyrocketed in the last year while working under sprint-minded Mike Bottom. That’s because White works with the Michigan distance group that has quickly gone from being unknown to one of the best in the country. That includes putting a man on the US Olympic Team in the men’s 1500 (Connor Jaeger). Including Jaeger, the Michigan men scored three swimmers at NCAA’s in the 1650 last year, with National Teamers Ryan Feeley and Sean Ryan joining him. The “Dr.” comes from a PHD in human performance from Indiana.
Bishop also has a background in performance. In the last four years working in Colorado Springs, his roles have included as a sports performance consultant for USA Swimming’s Club Development program; performance support manager for the National Team; and Manager of Coach Services and Education. This experience has given him a great background in the administrative side of the sport, which will be crucial as Bottom now has to manage twice the number of teams and athletes. As a coach, he has spent plenty of time on deck as well. He coach the famed Bolles School in Jacksonville to the 2006 Florida High School State Championship, and was the head women’s coach for Brazil at the 1996 Olympics. He was also an assistant at Harvard from 1988-1991.
They will be assisted by Mark Hill (for the men’s team) and Danielle Tansel (for the women).
Hill has been bumped to a full-time assistant after three seasons as a volunteer assistant under Bottom. During that time, he has spent a lot of time working with the internationally-famous Club Wolverine Elite Team that put 15 swimmers into the Olympics. He joined Bottom and White on deck in London.
Tansel comes to Michigan from SMU. Read more about her selection as an assistant on the women’s team here.
Dr. White! Congrats buddy. You have always been a success. Don’t forget your heading to Maine next summer!!
Agree why Bishop? Horrible hire but USA swimming must be jumping for joy. He also “left” the Baylor School. Crazy how coaches like this still get great gigs. Good luck Coach Bottom!
Rick Bishop? Why?