Force in the Water

Today’s discussion features Milana Socha, who just finished up her first season as the head coach at Dartmouth. Prior to her head coaching appointment, Milana worked with Northwestern’s nationally ranked teams as the lead coach for the butterfly and mid distance training groups. Additionally, Milana provided leadership for the team’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committee, and was a member of the Big 10 Equality Coalition as w...

Today’s discussion features Juliet Suess, the head coach of Chapman University. Juliet recently completed their second season heading up the Chapman swim & dive program. In their first season, Juliet led the panther men to a program best finish and the Chapman University staff was named SCIAC Coaching staff of the year for the women’s program. 

In this episode, Juliet and Kevin discuss mental health. Please note neithe...

Today's coaching discussion is with Andrew Sheaff, most recently affiliated with the University of Virginia's swim and dive programs. 

Over the course of his time at UVA, the program has risen to prominence, securing their first NCAA championship win for the women in the 2020-2021 season and following up with another two in succession. 

Andrew hosts a blog for coaches entiled Coaching Flow and his first ...

Today’s coaching discussion features former Danish pro swimmer, and co-founder of TheMagic5 goggle company, Niklas Hedegaard. 

Niklas spent several years as a professional swimmer for Denmark. He still holds a Danish record in the 400 medley relay in short course meters from 2016, swimming as the breaststroke leg. 

In this episode, Niklas and Kevin go down the proverbial rabbit hole, exploring longevity in the spo...

Today’s coaching discussion features former US National team director, Frank Busch.

Frank began coaching at sixteen and took his first full-time position as the head coach of the Northern Kentucky Piranhas age group and senior programs in 1974. Frank made his way into the college world with the University of Cincinnati before taking over the University of Arizona. Under his guidance, Arizona made impressive progress, culmi...

Today’s coaching discussion features legendary Arizona Wildcat, Lara Jackson –  one of the most decorated collegiate swimmers in program history, who logged an astounding nine National Championships and 14 All American selections across her collegiate career. Lara is currently in her second season as the Assistant Coach with the University of Arizona.   

Lara’s career kicked off with a three year stint coaching in France w...

Today’s coaching discussion features Dave Rollins, who is currently in his seventh season as the head coach at Florida Gulf Coast University.  

Dave’s coaching career began in 2006 as an assistant for Tucson Ford Dealers Aquatics alongside Frank Busch. From there he took on several dual coaching rolls – working with college, club and high school (often simultaneously).

After a stint working at the then-split OSU program wit...

Today’s coaching discussion features Nikki Kett, owner and founder of the life coaching business, Nikki Kett Coaching. 

Nikki swam Division III and was an eleven time NCAA All American. Post college, she entered the coaching ranks herself, with tenures at Johns Hopkins, Penn, and Michigan. Across her collegiate coaching time, Nikki had the opportunity to work with some of the top athletes in the world. 

After close to a decade in the...

Today’s coaching discussion features Stephen Saiz, recently retired from work as a professor of the West River counselor education program at South Dakota State University.

Over his career, Stephen has worked as a classroom teacher, school counselor, parent educator, university professor, licensed mental health counselor and clinical supervisor for practicing counselors. In doing so he has gathered a wealth of knowledge and insights...

Today’s coaching discussion features Dan Flack, who just concluded a 17 year tenure coaching at Baylor. 

Dan cut his teeth in the coaching world working with some of the best known names in the sport at UNC, Georgia and Brown. As the head coach at Baylor, his team took home 16 state championship titles between the boys and girls. Dan has also been tabbed as a US Junior National team coach five times since 2011.

Dan is known...

Today’s coaching discussion features Jeff Raker, Executive Leadership Coach and founder of Level Up Leadership Coaching. 

With 30 years experience working with people, a Sherpa Executive Coaching certification and a passion for sports, Jeff brings a unique set of skills and insights to help leaders and coaches level up from where they are today. 

Jeff is a swim official, former FINA starter and pastor. He has worked with bi...

Today’s coaching discussion features club coach Dave Anderson of the Schroeder YMCA in Brown Deer, Wisconsin.

Dave kicked off his coaching career in 1987 as a grad assistant with the University of Nebraska. Since 1994 he’s been in the club world coaching at the Walter Schroeder Aquatic Center. Dave has coached across all levels, including a Paralympian, US Olympic Team Triathlete, over 30 Olympic Trials Qualifiers, a Junior World Ch...

Today’s coaching discussion is the last of the three part series, featuring club coach Josh Everett with the King Marlin Swim Club in Oklahoma.

Josh began his coaching career in 2002 with KMSC, through the spring of 2008. He returned as the Head Senior development coach in 2009 and has been instrumental in preparing the KMSC athletes for elite level competition, with swimmers ranked in the top 10 nationally. As a co-owner of KMSC, J...

Joining us today is Coach Claire Donahue-White of the TAC Titans. Claire – a 2012 Olympian and gold medalist - has been with the TAC Titans for almost three years. She currently coaches the National and Sectional group. Over the years she has worked with athletes ranging from 8 & under to Olympians.

In today’s discussion, Claire and Kevin discuss the importance of a solid support system for success – first as an athlete and late...

Today’s coaching discussion is the second of a three part series, featuring club coach Josh Everett with the King Marlin Swim Club in Oklahoma.

Josh began his coaching career in 2002 with KMSC, through the spring of 2008. He returned as the Head Senior development coach in 2009 and has been instrumental in preparing the KMSC athletes for elite level competition, with swimmers ranked in the top 10 nationally. As a co-owner of KMSC, J...

Today’s guest is Jason Pullano, in his first season as head coach with the high school swim team Highland Park in Texas. Jason began his coaching career in 2014 at Granbury High School, serving as both the instructional technology coordinator and head swim coach. 

He taught biology and aquatics and led both his boys and girls swim teams to eight consecutive district titles and four consecutive top-two finishes at the Region 2-5A cha...

On today's episode head coach Jessen Book of Kenyon College. Today's coaching discussion features Jessen Book, head coach of Kenyon College. Jess is a 2001 graduate of Kenyon and returned to his alma mater as the women's head coach in 2010. In 2012 he took over both programs and has accumulated four national championship team titles, the most recent from the Kenyon women in the 2022 season.

In this episode J...

Today’s coaching discussion is the first of a three part series, featuring club coach Josh Everett with the King Marlin Swim Club in Oklahoma.

Josh began his coaching career in 2002 with KMSC, through the spring of 2008. He returned as the Head Senior development coach in 2009 and has been instrumental in preparing the KMSC athletes for elite level competition, with swimmers ranked in the top 10 nationally. As a co-owner of KMSC, Jo...