Senior Elite Coach
Challenge 2 Coach |
Coach Mike is entering his 18th season with Canyons Aquatic Club, where he has helped build a culture of excellence, athlete development, and lifelong success in the sport of swimming. An ASCA Level 4 Coach, Mike has coached swimmers at every stage of their journey—from first-time competitors to Olympic Trials qualifiers, NCAA student-athletes, and national-level performers.
With more than 30 years of coaching experience, Mike has earned a reputation for developing athletes who excel not only in the pool, but also as leaders, teammates, and students. His coaching career includes successful tenures with the Riverton Aquatic Team (WY), Westside Aquatics, Los Angeles Swim Club, and Santa Barbara Swim Club, where his athletes consistently achieved success at the local, sectional, national, and collegiate levels. Mike's dedication to the sport extends well beyond the pool deck. He has served as Vice Chair of the Southern California Swimming Pacific Committee, been selected as a Southern California Swimming All-Star Coach, and twice accompanied his athletes to the U.S. Olympic Training Center as a Home Coach for the National Diversity Select Camp and National Junior Team Select Camp—recognitions reserved for coaches developing some of the nation's most promising young swimmers. A former NCAA Division I swimmer at the University of Wyoming, Mike understands firsthand the commitment required to compete at the highest levels. He earned his bachelor's degree in Education from Wyoming before completing a master's degree in Education and Curriculum through Concordia University Irvine, bringing both academic expertise and decades of coaching knowledge to every practice. For Mike, coaching is about far more than fast times. He is passionate about helping every swimmer discover confidence, resilience, and a love for the sport while creating opportunities to reach their individual goals—whether that means learning proper technique, qualifying for championship meets, earning a college scholarship, or pursuing Olympic dreams. "I feel incredibly fortunate to coach in Santa Clarita. This community is home, and it's a privilege to help young people grow through swimming every day." Away from the pool, Mike enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Dianna, and their daughter, Francesca. |
