In the biggest bombshell yet of this coaching season, Stanford men’s head coach Skip Kenney informed his swimmers today that he would be retiring, according to sources close to the team.
Kenney is one of the most successful coaches in NCAA history, as a 6-time NCAA Coach of the Year and a 20-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year. He has led his swimmers to 31-consecutive Pac-10/Pac-12 titles in his 33 years at the helm, as well as over 100 All-Americans and 72 NCAA Champions. Internationally, he has also served as the head coach of the U.S. Men’s Olympic Team in 1996.
The number one question on most swim fans’ minds is whether or not the streak will continue – that is the streak of conference titles that is among the most famous in the sport.
This position is by far the most desirable that has been, or will be, announced this summer, especially given that in March of 2011, it became fully endowed thanks to a gift from John and Marica Goldman.
Updated 7:36 PM
Stanford has confirmed Skip Kenney’s retirement with a press release. He will stay on with the Cardinal through the end of the US Olympic Trials on July 2nd before moving aside.
Question. Integrity, really? While I know he’s a fantastic coach, and has done wonders for Stanford…
Wasn’t Kenny called out for erasing records of swimmers he had beefs with and violating rules?
Honesty and integrity, indeed.
Hello all!
I would like to write to all of you about two men. 2 men with integrity and loyalty beyond anything I have ever known. Skip Kenney and Ted Knapp are 2 honest men who deserve not only support, but just a little more respect than some of the comments which I have read (or heard). I have had the incredible chance to share the pool deck with these 2 individuals, not only once, but twice. When I was volunteering my time at Stanford, they were both amazing educators. Explaining, listening, and correcting my ideas as a young coach and moreover what is to be a young man. Most recently as a fellow coach, they showed instant respect… Read more »
I think Marsh is not a good choice. You can’t run the type of program at Stanford that he did at Auburn. You can’t bring people in for the spring quarter, the academic requirements are stringent, and there’s no special majors and services for athletes, for starters. Working with the admissions office at Stanford is totally different than at Auburn.
Ted is an obvious choice, but perhaps there is a desire for deeper change. In that case, someone like Pablo or Sergio would be good candidates. Sergio has a proven track record in college (Northwestern – WVU). Pablo is a legend, honest, smart, and has great interpersonal skills. Just because he hasn’t been super successful at Nebraska doesn’t mean… Read more »
No way Bowman is going to take another college job. He’s got a great situation at NBAC and can more easily pursue his interest in horses there than at Stanford.
My suggestions re candidates was not meant to denigrate Ted Knapp or his abilities…I just assumed he would be considered but that they search process would require looking outside before any decision is made.
Ted is incredible. He should be given his chance. It’s curious to me. Do some of the people on here know what it takes to coach at one of the best schools in the world? And by best, I mean best academics, best facilities, best teams, biggest endowment, best scholarships and financial aid. This is a once-in-a-generation changing of the guard. It takes incredible maturity, skill, and experience.
If you’re going to throw names around, think Bob Bowman, Greg Meehan, or David Marsh.
I agree that this job needs an extraordinary coach and, at this point, the front runner has to be coach Knapp.
I have heard amazing things about the Hersey, PA coach but that would be a heck of a leap. I could see Bowman wanting a new challenge as Phelps retires. Can someone remind me of why he left Michigan after only a few years? I think Marsh would be a great fit but he wants to root where he is for his families sake. Meehan, to me, seems like the best fit. He is a young guy (35ish), has head coaching experience with Pacific and Associate Head Coaching experience with the National Champs at Cal (Cal’s academic demands… Read more »
Bowman left at least in part, because the opportunity to own NBAC came up. While he might have been able to do it from Ann Arbor, I think that there were a number of factors that led to his wanting to return. Not sure if Stanford would be enough to lure him back to the college coaching ranks.
Ted Knapp and pay for a great assistant.
As assistants go Jim Henry is looking for jobs.
for a job. sorry for not proofreading.
I should have pointed out that my list of marsh, Lopez and Meehan is only if Ted doesn’t want the job. His loyalty should be rewarded and I have heard he is a great coach and nice guy. I always assumed he and skip would retire together but that may not be the case.
Here’s an interesting thought – what about Nolan’s club/high school coach, Fastrich? Nolan didn’t get much faster in his freshman year from his senior times, and some we went slower than his tapered senior year times. Fastrich knows Nolan and can train others in that same way. He could turn 1 Nolan into 4, 5 or 6 of them. Not so well-known nationwide but very well known to the east coast. He could introduce himself to the west coast.
Interesting thought jim. Has he ever coached at the college level? That Hersey program is motoring.
Uh, I don’t think he has coached at the college level, but he clearly can coach swimmers to be top level swimmers in our country. I believe he has a girl on his team right now who goes 1:45 in the 200 yard freestyle as a sophomore in high school. If she continues her pace of improvement, she could be one of, if not the top girl out of high school (minus the Missy Franklins of the country) in 2 years.
Greg Meehan might be an interesting pick. There will be other top teams with vacancies for head coaches soon-these announcements are just the beginning.