John’s Coaching Philosophy

I love the sport of swimming and everything it has to offer. The fact that it is one of the most demanding sports in the world only strengthens that love and shapes how I approach coaching young swimmers. Swimming develops not just athletes, but strong, confident people.

TEAM

From the very beginning of my coaching career, I have believed that swimming is not an individual sport. To reach their full potential, swimmers must believe in the power of a team and learn to support one another. My goal as a coach is to lead in a way that encourages swimmers to take ownership of their development. Coaches guide, teach, and support, but the athlete must ultimately decide what they want to achieve — both in swimming and in life.

What Swimming Should Provide

There are two major things every swimmer should gain from this sport:

1. Lifelong Memories

The experiences gained through swimming often lead to lasting friendships and unforgettable moments. These memories are built through daily training, team experiences, and shared effort. Swimming is a challenging sport, which makes it even more important to keep it fun, meaningful, and rewarding.

2. Lifelong Lessons

When the racing is over and the suits are hung up, what remains are the lessons learned through swimming. These lessons carry athletes forward in whatever path they choose in life.

• Work Ethic – Swimming teaches athletes to enjoy hard work and to take pride in achieving goals they once thought were out of reach.
• Confidence – As swimmers push themselves to new levels, they gain confidence in their ability to succeed in all areas of life.
• Commitment – Swimming requires dedication, but true commitment means believing in your goals so strongly that they do not feel like sacrifices.
• Goal Setting – Success begins with knowing what you want to achieve and learning how to build a plan to get there.
• Time Management – Balancing school, swimming, and personal life teaches athletes how to manage responsibilities and expectations.
• Adaptability – Learning to accept instruction and change habits is essential for improvement, both in swimming and beyond.

Driven, Competitive, and Positive

Developing young adults through swimming is at the heart of my coaching. Sportsmanship and teamwork help athletes grow not only as competitors but as people. Consistency in building these values makes learning the sport easier and more rewarding.

I believe competition and enjoyment can exist together. A strong team environment can support high-level competition, and with focus and commitment, swimmers can reach their highest potential while still having fun along the way.