Coaching Staff
 

 Danielle Gray, Head Coach

Danielle's swimming career started as an 8 and under and continued through college at Oakland University. She graduated from Brighton High School with All American Swimming honors.

At Oakland University Danielle held the records for the 100, 200, 500, 1,000 and 1,650 freestyles. As well as the 400 medley, 200, 400 and 800 freestyle relays. Senior year she qualified for the Division 1 NCAA National Championships in the 100 and 200 freestyles. During her student teaching, Danielle continued with Oakland University Swimming as a student assistant coach for their distance team. 

After a few years as a teacher in a 4th-6th grade classroom, Danielle turned back to coaching. Danielle served as Holly High Schools head coach for the Girls Swim and Dive team for 10 seasons and the Boys Swim and Dive team for 8 seasons. 
 
In 2017 Danielle moved back to Brighton and started the Brighton Aquatics Swim Club and has been the head coach ever since. 
Danielle enjoys camping, swimming, golfing, Disney and going up north to Higgins Lake. Most of all spending time with her husband Marc, 3 daughters Grace, Katie, Caroline and dog Wall-e. 

Email: [email protected]

 

 Sam Pinter, Assistant Coach

Coach Sam Pinter has been in the swimming world since she was 10 years old. Pinter swam with Grand Blanc schools as well as with multiple clubs during her time as an athlete. She also played water polo throughout her high school and collegiate career (at Central Michigan University- Fire Up Chips!).

As a coach, Pinter has served as the head coach for Atlas Valley Country Club Swim Team, Scranton Middle School swim team, as well as the assistant coach for Brighton Aquatics Black Group and Brighton High School Girls swim team. When she is not on the pool deck, Coach Pinter is a 5th grade teacher at Maltby Intermediate School. 

Email: [email protected]

 

 Lisa Wheeler, Assistant Coach

 

I have been involved in the Brighton Swimming Program for over 30 years . During that time I have actively coached at all levels including the age group program, middle school swim team, & High School Varsity Girls team for 18 years. During my coaching career, many of my swimmers have gone on to swim in college and earn All American Status. My teams have placed in the State top 20, won many league championships, and I have been named MISCA Regional Coach of the year twice.

I grew up swimming competitively at age 11 in Milan, MI.  During high school I was a member of the 1977 state swim championship team & state finisher 4 years in backstroke,  Individual medley, & relay events.

I attended Eastern Michigan University where I earned a master's degree in Early Childhood Education. During college I was the lesson director & head coach of the Milan Swim Club. After college, I was hired in Brighton as a Kindergarten teacher and head coach of the Brighton High School Girls Varsity team. 
 
I recently retired from teaching after 35 years but continue to coach swimming with Brighton Aquatics Program. I  love coaching beginning age-group swimmers and helping them mature into successful, competitive swimmers. My hobbies include watercolor painting, hiking, swimming, biking, knitting, and I am a certified master gardener. I reside in Brighton with my husband Brian. 

Email:  [email protected]

 

 Ty Kooser, Assistant Coach

Ty Kooser began coaching with Brighton Aquatics in September 2022. Ty swam for USA Swimming affiliated teams in California and Pennsylvania through age group and senior levels prior to going to college. He spent three seasons coaching a summer swim club and Pennsylvania, working with swimmers of all ages and varying abilities. Ty currently trains lifeguard staff and manages the aquatics at Racquet Club of Ann Arbor. Outside of the pool, Ty is an 8th grade math teacher at Scranton Middle School in Brighton.

Email: [email protected]

 

 Dianne Johnson, Assistant Coach

Dianne graduated from Michigan State University in 2000 with a degree in Parks and Recreation. While in school, Dianne had a successful swimming career as a captain and four-time top 16 finisher at the Big Ten Championships finishing her career at the 2000 Olympic Swimming Trials.

After graduating, Dianne pursued a career as a law enforcement park ranger for the National Park Service but could not stay away from the pool for very long. Dianne started her coaching career with a “lunch bunch” in Traverse City. That group developed into a dedicated group of swimmers competing at different levels including Masters Swimming, Ironman Triathlons, and many local triathlons and open water events.

Dianne got the opportunity to return to her alma mater and coach at Michigan State during the 2008-2009 collegiate season. Her passion for coaching was fueled and after moving to the Brighton Area with her family in 2012, she quickly got involved in coaching a local Masters Team, Milford Athletic Club. Dianne worked as an assistant manager and coach at Walnut Creek Country Club for 4 years and finally started coaching at Brighton Aquatics in 2021 when her oldest son Ethan started swimming for the team. When not on the pool deck Dianne spends time with her husband, Phil, their three children, Ethan, Max, and Adeline, and German Wirehaired Pointer Gus. Her family enjoys all outdoor activities including swimming, hiking, and traveling and of course watching Michigan State Athletics.

 

 Jennifer Resetar, Assistant Coach

As many in the swimming community can relate, I became involved in competitive swimming young and never fully left. I am originally from Napoleon, Ohio where I swam competitively from ages 6 through 18, achieving All American status in high school.  When I moved on to college, I swam one year at the University of Toledo and then had to hang my suit up to put more focus on my degree, which is a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering.  

 

My career has been within the automotive industry, but I’ve stayed connected to the sport through coaching at the Napoleon Aquatic Club and Vacationland Swim Club out of Sandusky, Ohio.  Most recently, I have been brought back into the swim world through my daughter.  She joined Brighton Aquatics a little over 5 years ago and I decided to join in on the fun.  I’m excited to be part of the team and have an opportunity to be part of your child’s swimming career.

Email: [email protected]

 

 Sean Hickman, Assistant Coach