DURHAM, North Carolina, June 13. U.S. Elite Diving Academy founder and National Team coach Drew Johansen will join the Duke swimming and diving staff in 2007-08, as was announced by head coach Dan Colella on Wednesday.
Johansen, a former member of the U.S. Diving National team, brings a wealth of experience to Duke, as he has had a variety of experiences at the club, collegiate and national levels.
Since 2001, Johansen has been the owner of and head coach for the U.S. Elite Diving Academy in Columbus, Ohio. U.S. Elite is the top junior and senior program, winning the U.S. Diving Junior Team title in 2005 and Senior Team title in 2006. He has served as a U.S. National Team coach for six years and also coached the U.S. Diving World Championship team in 2005 and U.S. Diving Junior World Team in 2002.
Johansen received the USA Diving Award of Excellence and was named USA Diving Coach of the Year in 2006. Other career accolades include Junior Coach of the Year (2002 and 2004) and Finalist Developmental Coach of the Year (2004).
"I am excited about the potential of Duke diving," said Johansen. "I am familiar with most of the current team members from their days of Junior Olympic Diving and I can't wait to start working with them. Duke University seems to be one of the most exciting places to work in the U.S. and I am excited to become a part of the tradition and help create a new era in Duke swimming and diving with Dan Colella."
Johansen's NCAA experience includes head coaching stints at Illinois State University and Florida Atlantic University, as he received conference coach of the year accolades four times. He also served as a volunteer assistant at the Ohio State University.
"We are thrilled to have a coach of Drew Johansen's distinction join our program," said Colella. "During the course of the interview it was exciting to discuss how we are going to develop the Duke swimming and diving program into one of the nations finest. His national reputation and coaching ability will have an immediate impact with our current divers as well as in recruiting. We are looking forward to his arrival later this summer."
Johansen received his bachelor's degree in physical education from Rochville University in 2005.
Special thanks to Duke for contributing this report.