Doug Dickinson will try to write a new chapter in the Kansas University men’s swimming and diving book this season.
Dickinson, KU’s new head coach, replaces Gary Kempf, who took an administrative position at the university in March after coaching KU swimming and diving for two-plus decades.
“I’m pretty excited about the opportunity,” Dickinson said. “I have some big shoes to fill, but I’m not one to stray from a challenge.”
Dickinson took over just under nine months after being hired as an assistant coach in August, but he said it was enough time to learn about the team and its tradition.
“I had a chance to see what Kansas swimming is all about,” he said. “I’ve got that wealth of knowledge from Gary, and I know and appreciate everything that has been accomplished in Kansas swimming.”
Dickinson will have to replace six graduated seniors, including Olympic Trials finalist Drew Dischinger, and KU 100 breaststroke record-holder Brandon Chestnut.
But Dickinson has plenty of new faces to offset the losses, including 12 incoming freshmen nine swimmers and three divers.
“It’s going to be tough, but that’s the way good programs are supposed to be,” Dickinson said. “You’re supposed to have a lot of great seniors graduate. That’s part of the challenge.
“It’s going to be tough to replace those guys, so we definitely need to step it up. The bottom line is that I expect and strive for and push the guys who are returning to continue to progress and excel.”
Other than the graduates, the team’s only loses were one retiree and one transfer.
“There’s always going to be change when there’s a coaching change,” Dickinson said. “We kept all but two, so I feel pretty good about that.
“I hope and feel that the guys know I have their best interests in mind and they feel that I can help them progress in their careers.”
Sophomores Matt Hanson and Brian Soria and junior divers Greg Giarrantano and Adam Hanhart will lead the charge of young talent. Leadership will come from the seniors, including co-captains John Reyes and Chad Sunderland.
“It’s definitely important for those guys to be good leaders with that many freshmen coming in,” Dickinson said. “The great teams always start with great leaders, and that’s what I’m looking for this year.”
Hanhart holds the school platform diving record.
“Andy kept getting better throughout the year,” Dickinson said. “It usually takes a couple of years to get used to college athletics, and he’s done nothing but get better, and I hope he continues where he left off last year.”
Sunderland and four freshmen will compete in the breaststroke, an event Dickinson sees potential in for the team.
“I would say we’re going to have a great group of breastsrokers,” Dickinson said. “Usually when you have a certain group doing well, it’s because they’re battling each other everyday and that will usually bring out the best in everybody.”
Another youngster who could be a big part of the team is sophomore Brian Soria, who competed in the Olympic Trials in the mile.
“He has a great club to train with at home this summer,” Dickinson said. “He should do well.”
