Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics (MLA) coach Jim Whitehead is leaving his position to take a job with Club Wolverine.
Whitehead confirmed the move with Swimming World, saying he was “sad to leave” MLA, but is looking forward to the new position.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such a talented group of athletes at Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics. It has been an honor to watch them grow and achieve their goals in the pool. I am proud of everything we have accomplished together and I will always cherish MLA,” Whitehead said.
“I want to express my gratitude to the parents and families of the swimmers. Your unwavering support has been invaluable, and I am grateful for the trust you have placed in me these past seven years.
Whitehead has been the head coach at MLA in Holland, Michigan, since 2016, and will now head across the state to Ann Arbor. He will be an associate head coach at Club Wolverine joining the staff with Gunnar Schmidt.
He has coached a group that has sent a plethora of swimmers to U.S. nationals and junior nationals each year.
Among the senior group was Devin Nowicki, who won the U.S. national championship in the 100 breaststroke in 2019.
Alabama swimmers Derek Maas and Kyle Maas trained later in their careers with MLA after returning from college seasons, while Michigan’s Kathryn Ackerman and Ohio State’s Morgan Kraus have also trained in Holland with MLA.
MLA has been led by Whitehead and Ian Townsend.
No official word on how MLA at Holland Community Aquatic Center is going to handle Whitehead’s departure in terms of hiring.