Courtesy of Trevor Ziegler
Russ Yarworth (courtesy of UMassAthletics)
On another special edition of Coach Confidential I picked the brain of the University of Massachusetts Men’s Swimming Head Coach Russ Yarworth. Coach Yarworth has led the Minutemen, who compete in the Atlantic 10 Conference, for 34 years. Russ has seen a wealth of success in his 3+ decades at UMass – winning a total of 21 conference titles, 14 of them within the A10. Coach Yarworth’s 12 Coach of the Year honors are the most in any sport in Atlantic 10 history. In addition to his many swimming accolades, Russ Yarworth is also a member of the Collegiate Water Polo Hall of Fame for his success during his 15 years as Head Men’s Water Polo Coach at UMass.
Coach Yarworth received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Massachusetts where he was also a member of the swimming and water polo programs. I had the privilege of swimming for Coach Yarworth for four flourishing seasons at the University of Massachusetts. Russ Yarworth’s unique approach to training and his emphasis on the various mental components of the sport have been key ingredients to his prolonged success as a head coach.
Take a look at what Coach Yarworth had to say in this edition of Coach Confidential:
First dual meet opponent as a head coach?
Can’t really remember but it may have been Springfield College
What was your major in college?
Biochemistry
Favorite facility to compete?
SPIRE Center in Geneva, OH
What was the last book you read?
Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Alexander Brown
What was the last movie you saw?
Nebraska
What has been your most memorable swimming moment as a head coach?
It would have to be the first NE Championship we won way back in 1987 and the 2001 A10 Championship in which Billy Brown qualified for NCAA’s!
What is your favorite set to give your swimmers?
Anything that creates improvement – I do love 16.5 x 100 on 1:15 for best average for the distance group.
Most embarrassing coaching moment?
I stepped backwards while addressing the team once right into the stair well of the pool and right into the pool!
What has been the most valuable piece of information you’ve learned from coaching?
Hard work and motivation will almost always result in success.
Describe your relationship with swimming as a kid.
I actually moved to the United States from England at age 9 and the first kids I met were swimmers. After learning to swim I joined the team.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a coach?
Probably the year after I graduated from UMass- I’d been coaching summer league and then my first job was at a YMCA in Rhode Island. After finishing a degree in Biochemistry I realized I didn’t want to continue in research-oriented fields and returned to UMass to get my Masters to enhance my possibilities of going to medical school. Then, I got the UMass job at age 22 and the rest is history!
Favorite/most useful drill you have your swimmers do?
Underwater Kicking Drills!
Describe your coaching philosophy in 3 words.
Enjoy the Process
As a spectator (or coach), who has been your favorite swimmer to watch (any level)?
I had the opportunity to watch Erik Vendt train at times while he was still in high school. Tremendous work capacity!
I also loved watching Jenny Thompson swim her 100 Fly and the powerful double kick that drove her so well.
Are there any individuals who have directly-influenced your coaching style?
My college coach Bey Melamed. He was an Israeli Olympian and really opened my eyes to what the sport was really all about.
I also enjoy sharing coaching ideas and philosophies with my former swimmer and former assistant coach Sean Clark. He has one of the best grasps on competitive swimming, training, and stroke mechanics of anyone I know.
Where would you be if you hadn’t become a coach?
Maybe would have gone the medical school route or most likely teaching (which is essentially the same thing as coaching!)
What are you commonly doing when you are not fulfilling your coaching duties?
I like to bike, kayak, hike, camp, take my dogs for a walk and ski! Not to mention swimming almost daily to stay fit.
What has been the hardest you have ever laughed as a coach?
When Trevor Ziegler was in practice every day. (Editors Note: He’s probably right!)
What would you consider to be the key to becoming a successful student-athlete?
Work Ethic and Work Capacity as well as a sense of humor coupled with efficient time management skills!
What are you most excited for in the upcoming season?
Always enjoy the challenge of putting a new squad together with the goal of competing for an Atlantic 10 Championship
Favorite dryland activity?
Good old Fashioned Push Ups and Pull Ups combined with plyometric jumping
What would you consider a “fun” practice?
A quality set followed by a get out swim and then playing “Boyden Ball” (Home run derby in the pool area) or our annual 3 Kings Practice in Puerto Rico, which involves throwing coins and gambling for various distances off the blocks!
Do you follow any sports other than swimming?
Pro and college hoops, football, and of course the almighty RED SOX!
Do you go into a season knowing the type of team atmosphere you want to cultivate, or do you take a more adaptive approach in creating team culture?
After being in the same program for so many years the team culture tends to be self-perpetuating as obviously we attract a certain type of swimmer/person to the program. I consider the kids just good old fashioned blue collar hard workers!
What has been your favorite “toy” to use with your swimmers during practice (useful or dud)?
Right now we warm down a couple of days a week by getting in a circle and shooting toypedos at each other underwater. Learned that from Bill Tyler, the Head Coach at Elms College!
Favorite inspirational quote?
“It’s easier to lose a game than it is to win one” Doc Rivers, Boston Celtics Coach
Thanks Coach! And I’ll see you all in the next Coach Confidential!
Trevor Ziegler is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst where he also swam for the Minutemen. In addition to being well-immersed in the swimming world, Trevor is also a self-proclaimed pop culture aficionado. He spends most of his time brainstorming how he can write about both his favorite bands/tv shows and swimming in one coherent article.
Stirrups?