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USA Swimming reconfirmed that Dave Durden and Greg Meehan would be the head coaches for the 2021 United States Olympic Team with Durden leading the men’s team and Meehan leading the women’s team.
Durden is the current head men’s coach at Cal, while Meehan is the head women’s coach at Stanford. The two worked together at Cal for four seasons from the fall of 2008 to the spring of 2012 before Meehan took the head coaching job at Stanford.
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Speedo USA’s John Graham commented on the announcement of Durden to the Olympic staff:
“The entire Speedo USA family is thrilled for Dave as he takes the helm of the U.S. Men’s National Swim Team. Dave is one of the world’s preeminent coaches, respected by his peers, elite athletes and the alumni who continue to train with him long after graduation, including many of our Team Speedo athletes. We’re confident that he will coach the team to achieve their ultimate goals in this well-deserved role.”
Durden is one of Speedo USA’s elite coaches.
Dave Durden
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Durden has been the head coach of the Cal men’s swim team since 2007 and has won three national titles, winning in 2011, 2012 and 2014. Cal has been in the top two every year since the decade started in 2010. Durden also coached Nathan Adrian, Anthony Ervin, Ryan Murphy, Jacob Pebley, Josh Prenot and Tom Shields to the 2016 Olympic Team.
Durden recently coached six guys to the Pan Pac team this summer with Adrian, Murphy, Pebley, Prenot, Sean Grieshop and Andrew Seliskar.
Durden was also on the coaching staff for the 2016 Olympic Team for Team USA. He also served as the men’s head coach for the 2015 and 2017 World Championships, and assistant at the 2011 World Championships, and the 2010 Pan Pacific Championships.
Previous men’s head coaches:
- 2020: Dave Durden
- 2016: Bob Bowman
- 2012: Gregg Troy
- 2008: Eddie Reese
- 2004: Eddie Reese
- 2000: Mark Schubert
- 1996: Skip Kenney
- 1992: Eddie Reese
- 1988: Richard Quick
- 1984: Don Gambril
- 1980: George Haines
- 1976: Doc Counsilman
- 1972: Peter Daland
- 1968: George Haines
- 1964: Doc Counsilman
- 1960: Gus Stager
- 1956: Bob Muir
- 1952: Matt Mann
- 1948: Bob Kiphuth
- 1932: Bob Kiphuth
- 1924: Bill Bachrach
Greg Meehan
Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
Meehan has been the head coach of the Stanford women’s team since 2012 and has won two straight national titles in 2017 and 2018. He has won the CSCAA coach of the year award three times.
Meehan helped coach Maya DiRado, Simone Manuel and Lia Neal to the 2016 Olympic Team. He recently helped coach five swimmers to the Pan Pac team this summer with Katie Drabot, Ella Eastin, Brooke Forde, Katie Ledecky and Manuel.
Meehan also served as the women’s head coach for the 2017 World Championship team and was an assistant for the 2015 World Championships team and 2014 Pan Pac team. Meehan was also a manager for the US team at the 2007 World University Games team.
Previous women’s head coaches:
- 2020: Greg Meehan
- 2016: David Marsh
- 2012: Teri McKeever
- 2008: Jack Bauerle
- 2004: Mark Schubert
- 2000: Richard Quick
- 1996: Richard Quick
- 1992: Mark Schubert
- 1988: Richard Quick
- 1984: Don Gambril
- 1976: Jack Nelson
- 1972: Sherm Chavoor
- 1968: Sherm Chavoor
- 1964: Peter Daland
- 1960: George Haines
- 1956: Stan Tinkham
- 1952: Dick Papenguth
- 1948: Ray Daughters
- 1936: Ray Daughters
- 1932: Bob Kiphuth
- 1928: Bob Kiphuth
- 1924: Louis DeBreda Handley
Excellent choices.
It is great to hear the accomplishments of these men, I’m sure they will do great at the 2020 Olympics! I’m a little disappointed of the lack of female Head coaches on both lists. Only 1 female Head Coach on the women’s side in the last 28 years and 0 female Head Coaches on the men’s side.
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations!! Excellent news
Congrats Greg!
Dennis Dadashev Jim Carrey and Paul Rudd star in 2020s biggest comedy about two coaches with polar opposite demeanors
USA Swimming needs to find a way to mentor and create opportunities for Women coaches at the National and International level. Almost 40 years since Title IX and no Woman’s Head coach for the Olympics?