Ohio State head coach Bill Dorenkott, who is entering his first year leading the newly-combined men’s and women’s varsity swimming teams, has added Danielle Tansel to his staff as a volunteer assistant, the school announced on Tuesday.
Tansel’s husband, Bryon, is a full-time assistant with the Buckeyes.
Danielle Tansel previously served as an assistant at rival Michigan for 4 seasons (while Bryon was on staff at nearby Eastern Michigan), and then in 2016 the pair traveled to Baton Rouge together for a one-year stint at LSU.
“We have assembled one of the most dynamic staffs in all of collegiate swimming and diving,” Dorenkott noted. “Danielle is the perfect complement to our staff and program. Her experience, energy and deck presence will add a great deal to the culture we are building.”
“I am excited to join this staff furthering the development of a combined men’s and women’s swimming & diving program,” Danielle Tansel said. “Having the right people together, at a university where opportunity abounds, is a powerful force.
“I am eager to contribute my knowledge and skills to the Ohio State University program and work alongside some of the brightest and most passionate coaches out there.”
The Michigan men won 4-straight Big Ten titles while Tansel was on staff there, and the women’s team climbed its way to a Big Ten Title in 2016 as well – its first as a team since 2004. She joined that program at a strikingly similar period in its history – the year after they underwent a similar combining of programs.
As a swimmer, Danielle Tansel swam at Notre Dame, where she was a 7-time Big East Champion and was at one point the Notre Dame school record holder in the 100 back.
Tansel’s college coaching resume:
- Oakland University, graduate assistant – 2004-2008
- University of Richmond, women’s assistant – 2008-2011
- SMU, women’s assistant – 2011-2012
- Michigan, assistant – 2012-2016
- Ohio State, volunteer assistant – 2017-present
Patience! She’s the real deal and is getting back into college coaching after a year off (from coaching) while they were in Baton Rouge. I agree that volunteer assistant is not what she’s meant for but she will get there. It will be fun watching it happen.
She’s Wayyyy better than a Volunteer!!!!!!
Ripped away from one of the best after building something awesome with RICK and Now a Volunteer?!?!?!!>?
The next time they move it should be for her to chase her dreams.
She could be one of the top women’s coaches in the country
Volunteer assistant??? She’s to good for that!! Can’t believe she will coaching against Michigan now!!