U.S. Olympic Trials: Dave Durden Among Assistant Coaches for American Squad Bound For Paris
With nine days of competition at the U.S. Olympic Trials complete, USA Swimming has picked the staff who will accompany the Olympic team to Paris under the leadership of National Team Managing Director Lindsay Mintenko plus previously-announced head coaches Todd DeSorbo (women) and Anthony Nesty (men).
The coaching staff was selected based on the performance of athletes at Trials. The assistant coaches will be University of Texas women’s coach Carol Capitani, Cal coach Dave Durden, NC State coach Braden Holloway, Notre Dame coach Chris Lindauer, Stanford women’s coach Greg Meehan and Carmel Swim Club coach Chris Plumb. The open water coaching staff will be led by Ron Aitken, with Cory Chitwood as an assistant coach.
A pair of veteran coaches who would have undoubtedly been considered are not part of the staff. Bob Bowman, the new head coach of the University of Texas men, was in charge of the U.S. men at last year’s World Championships, but he is committed to be part of the French team this time given his role in coaching multi-event star Leon Marchand. Bowman-coached swimmers on this team include Regan Smith, Chase Kalisz, Drew Kibler
Meanwhile, Bowman’s predecessor, Eddie Reese, put three swimmers onto the Olympic team (Carson Foster, Luke Hobson and Shaine Casas), but he did not make himself available for the trip as he prepares for retirement, with this meet the last major championship event for the legendary coach who has led his team to 15 national titles.