University of Southern Indiana
NCAA DII • OVC
Date: November 10, 2025
Would Recommend
Tags
As a parent of an athlete who has been part of the University of Southern Indiana swim program for several years, I feel it’s time to share an honest perspective that might help other families make an informed decision. I had hoped to stay quiet and let the program “grow into itself,” but it’s become clear that the same issues keep resurfacing, not because the team is young, but because of how it’s being led. There’s a pattern of poor communication, inconsistent leadership, and lack of structure that has never improved despite repeated promises of change. The swimmers are given little direction and even less feedback. Most of the technical corrections or post-race analyses come from the athletes themselves, not the coaching staff. My child has spent countless hours watching race footage trying to figure out how to improve because the coaches either didn’t watch their races or offered no actionable feedback. What’s frustrating is that this isn’t about results. We understand that success takes time, especially for a newer D1 program. The real issue is the environment. There’s no sense of cohesion or shared purpose. Team meetings, events, or opportunities for bonding are treated like obligations, not opportunities to build unity. When the swimmers try to take initiative and lead from within, they’re often ignored or subtly criticized for “overstepping.” The culture feels emotionally draining. My child used to love swimming, now it’s become something they just “get through.” There’s a constant sense of walking on eggshells, never knowing what version of the coach is going to show up that day: dismissive, sarcastic, or disengaged. I’ve heard stories of him standing off to the side during meets, arms folded, saying nothing while swimmers are left confused or frustrated after races. That’s not coaching, that’s avoidance. Accountability is nonexistent. If something goes wrong, it’s always the athletes’ fault. When swimmers express concerns about training, communication, or mental fatigue, it’s brushed off as negativity or lack of “buy-in.” Yet, the same coach who demands accountability from his team has a program that’s reportedly $20,000 in DEBT and frequently cancels practices without explanation. The most disappointing part, though, is how little care or professionalism is shown toward the athletes as people. I’ve seen talented, motivated swimmers come into this program full of energy and potential, only to leave broken down and doubting themselves. There’s no encouragement, no trust, and no consistent standard of respect. As parents, we’re told to “trust the process,” but it’s hard to do that when the process doesn’t seem to exist. It’s even harder when the coaching staff fails to communicate with families or show appreciation for the time, travel, and financial support we provide. We’ve stood by through seasons of growing pains, but at this point, the lack of progress and professionalism can’t be ignored. The athletes at USI deserve far better leadership than what they’re getting right now. They need a coach who builds, not one who belittles, ignores, or deflects. Until that happens, I can’t in good faith recommend this program to any family looking for a healthy, supportive environment for their student-athlete.