Aaron Opell is no longer employed by the Newburgh Sea Creatures, leaving the team without a head coach a week after breaking a National Age Group Record and three weeks before the roster, along with U.S. National Teamer Lilly King, head to the USA Swimming National Championships.
The team was notified by email on Wednesday, with the full text of that message below:
“Effective immediately there has been a change in leadership for Newburgh Sea Creatures. Aaron Opell is no longer a coach for NSC. We wish him the very best as he pursues other endeavors.
If anyone is interested in the possibility of serving on a hiring committee please email [email protected] by Saturday as the process for looking for a new head coach will begin immediately.
We will have a short all member meeting Monday July 27, 2015 at 6:30. Meet at the pool lobby.”
Neither Opell nor the team’s Board of Directors could be reached for comment about the nature of Opell’s removal, and whether it was a resignation or a termination.
Opell, who himself is a former USA Swimming National Teamer in the 200 breaststroke, had been with the team for two years, and last September was named to the USA Swimming National Team coaching staff as the personal coach of King. King finished 6th at last summer’s National Championship meet in the 100 breast (1:08.22) to earn her spot on the National Team.
King, who is 18, says that as a result of the move, she is choosing not to represent the Newburgh Sea Creatures at the National Championship meet.
“Due to circumstances beyond my control, I feel that I can no longer, in good conscience, represent the Newburgh Sea Creatures,” King said of her decision. “For the second time in two years, the team’s board of directors has fired my coach within two weeks of the National Championships. I wish my teammates good luck in their future endeavors, as well as head age group coach Mike Chapman. I stand behind my coach, Aaron Opell, and hope that he will be able to work with a team in the future that truly appreciates everything he has to offer.”
So far in 2015, King ranks 2nd among Americans with a 1:06.93 in that event, which puts her in position to qualify again for the National Team for the 2015-2016 season as she prepares for her first college season with the Indiana Hoosiers. That time will likely get her onto the National Team regardless of what happens at August’s National Championship meet, but this is still a blow for a team that just 4 days earlier broke the 15-18 girls’ 400 meter medley relay National Age Group Record.
As a D1 swimmer your doing a pretty damn good job as a coach when you have 4 swimmers commit to top 20 programs after only being there for 2 years.
Latest update – all board members have resigned!
http://www.14news.com/story/29644679/special-meeting-called-to-discuss-firing-of-newburgh-swim-coach
I swam around Aaron growing up and with him at IU. What an awesome individual. He had/has an amazing work ethic, great personality, friendly to everyone, and caring to those he works with/for. I am from a small town in southern IN and we have struggled to find and keep great coaches because of our idiot parents. Get over yourselves and your kids. What is best for everyone? Castle/Newburgh swimming has had a winning and successful tradition for many years. That won’t last much longer if you continue to run out your coaches. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
What all parents need to understand is that the Board made a tough decision and because some of you are not “happy” with said decision, those parents, the one’s not on the Board, now want a trial in the court of popular opinion. Maybe some of those boisterous parents should have been volunteering hours of their own time helping the ENTIRE team instead of looking out for just his/her child. What’s your end goal? To get a “fired” coach rehired? I’ve never heard of an organization rehiring someone who was fired. So airing your dirty laundry is just a very unprofessional, immature choice. I know it is a sign of the times to vent one’s frustrations utilizing social media but… Read more »
In any given employment situation, an employer would be foolish to disclose the reason for firing someone as it sets the organization up for litigation. Your coach is fully aware of his shortcomings and the job requirements that he failed to perform many of which fall outside the purview of meet times; which ironically is being used as final litmus test as to whether this coach was performing his duties for the betterment of the ENTIRE team. The masses will be quick to point fingers saying the board is full of cowards (name calling) for not disclosing Mr. Opell’s failures; when in fact, they are upholding their team fiduciary responsibilities to a higher standard as leaders of your organization.
Lisa, actually yes… Getting the coach back and dissolving the board would be the “end goal.” Many parents dedicate time to the ENTIRE team in other ways than being on the swim board, so don’t make it a competition. And the “bullying” that you are speaking of was simply a plea for attention from a particular person that is known for crying wolf to dramatacize situations. You are one of the few parents that felt you needed to make a decision for the entire team. Here you are dedicating your time for the “ENTIRE” team, correct? You clearly do not have the interests of the team in mind, and I would like to point out that both your posts aired… Read more »
U criticize the use of social media and then immediately use it defend your actions…lol u have no credibility when you do that.
The reason the board should be removed is for two hugely critical and fatal mistakes that they have harmed the team and those are 1. the timing of the firing and 2. the talent of the coach you are losing cannot be replaced in your little town in the middle of nowhere especially after running off a second coach in 2 years…
I hope you are ready to coach them yourself now.
I used to swim and went to high school with opell. He’s an amazing athlete and an amazing coach. NSC is foolish for losing him. They will never find a coach with that prestige again.
As someone who was around during the firing of the previous coach, I hate to see Aaron’s situation being compared to that. Sometimes firings aren’t due swimmer’s performance, but are instead due to the professionalism of the coach. While I believe that was the case with the previous coach, I can not imagine Aaron having acted in such a manner.
I grew up admiring Aaron as a swimmer and a person. I have no doubt that he served NSC to the best of his abilities. While it is unfortunate for Miss King, to me, the saddest part in all of this is that the board has now put a negative mark on the resume of a young coach with… Read more »
Love helicopter parents who swoop in because there little boy/girl did not get their favorite toy. From my experiences, these parents are likely the sideline quarterbacks who don’t volunteer to help the parent boards in the first place. Best of luck to your children in the real world where “fair” is a nice place to get a corndog once a year…..
No comments on the Aaron Opell case without knowing all facts. But you made a good point, Jack Sera! If one wants to make a difference in a member/parent owned club, get INVOLVED on the dry side: be a volunteer, an official, or better yet, a board member. As for the wet side, let it go and leave it to the coaches! Your child needs to own the sport, not you; all your child wants is your unconditional love and non-judgemental support.
Thanks for the reply. I have been reading about the “Drama” in Indy. For those who support their former coach, reach out to him personally and try to help him move on to another situation. The critics who are attacking the board members and parents who were involved in his departure are drawing more attention to this coach. Although your intentions may be noble you may be hurting this young man pursue other opportunities. Have you ever seen anyone get re-hired as a result of a social media campaign? Do not try this case in the court of public opinion. It helps no one. Peace be with you all…..
@jon Simmon, I’m sure you know how hard aaron coaches the NSC kids because you’re in the pool with him for four hours a day, right? Or maybe are you just another power-hungry oblivious parent that knows nothing.