'He changed our sport': Legendary Michigan, US swim & dive coach Jon Urbanchek dies at 87
Jon Urbanchek, the legendary former head coach of the Michigan men's swimming and diving program for more than two decades (1982-2004), died Thursday in California. He was 87.
Urbanchek's crowning achievement in Ann Arbor came when he led U-M to the 1995 NCAA championship — his team claimed six of 13 individual titles as well as one relay — but he was known for remarkable consistency, with 13 Big Ten titles across 22 seasons, including 10 straight league titles from 1986-95.
In total, his teams went 163-34 in dual meets and a near-impossible 100-4 against Big Ten competition as he helped produce 35 individual NCAA champions.
"Jon Urbanchek's name is synonymous with extraordinary accomplishments and coaching innovation in the sport of swimming but his positive human impact on the lives of so many is his true legacy," U-M athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement. "His story speaks to people of all backgrounds — from coming to the United States as an immigrant to finding success and reaching the pinnacle of professional and personal life through his work and amazing family."
Friday brought an outpouring of sympathy from the swimming community, ranging from 15-time national champion Texas coach Eddie Reese, who said, "The only thing you take with you when you die is that which you gave to others. Jon takes much with him," to USC coach Lea Maurer, a former Olympic gold medalist, who said in part, "He changed our sport and he supported wake-up swims that were longer than 500 meters."
Not only did Urbanchek — widely considered one of the shepherds in the American competitive swimming —earn eight Big Ten Coach of the Year nods, as well as the 1995 NCAA Coach of the Year, he also coached the U.S. Olympic team over five consecutive Games (1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004) and served as special coach in the next two Games (2008, 2012).
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He also coached various World Championships, Pan American Games and other U.S. international teams.
"It is hard to express how much Jon Urbanchek has meant to me since I first met him in 2012," said Katie Ledecky, a three-time Olympian, seven-time Olympic gold medalist and 21-time world champion. "He was my coach on the 2012 Olympic team and he has been a coach, a mentor and a friend since then. I learned so much from him. He was a kind and dedicated coach who never forgot his swimmers.
"I will never forget his dedication to our sport, his humor, his coaching style and his love for Team USA. He was a coach of coaches. I know that all of my coaches learned something from him. I am so lucky to have had him as a part of my team. ... He never stopped coaching and encouraging me."
In total, Urbanchek coached 44 Olympians to 21 total medals: 11 gold, six silver, and four bronze. Twenty-six of the Olympians he coached also came through his program in Ann Arbor and 10 of them were responsible for 17 medals.
There are four world record holders among his coaching achievements.
"People come into our life for a moment, a day, or a lifetime, it matters not the time they spent with you but how they impacted your life in that time," current U-M men's & women's swim and dive coach Matt Bowe said in a statement. "Urby was a person who made an immediate and positive impact on people's lives. He had a cheeky sense of humor and was always willing to give his time to help others learn or better themselves. Urby had one of the most decorated coaching careers in Michigan and Team USA history. He was a pioneer of our sport and many coaches today still use the Urbanchek color system to categorize aerobic and anaerobic training intensities.
"On a personal note, I will miss Jon immensely. His support for me, as the new head coach, and his passion for Michigan have been inspiring. Michigan lost a legend but his legacy will continue in our commitment to the future of Michigan Swimming & Diving. As Jon would say, 'Keep it moving' and forever, Go Blue!"
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Jon Urbanchek, legendary Michigan, US swim & dive coach, dies at 87
