Update: an earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Hite’s contract was extended through the 2016-2017 season, when in fact it was just “maintained.”
The University of Wisconsin Athletic Board has maintained the contract for men’s & women’s swimming and diving coach Whitney Hite through June 14th, 2017, which should keep Hite in Madison for at least two more seasons. The announcement means that the contract has not been terminated early, nor extended, but implies that there was some review given the need to announce the decision.
Hite took over the position in the 2011-2012 season, when Eric Hansen left to become the head coach at Arizona, and has completed four seasons with the Badgers.
Both the Wisconsin men’s and women’s teams hit new conference highs during the Hite era in the 2014-2015 season.
Wisconsin’s finishes at Big Ten Championships During Hite Era
- 2011-2012: Men 8th (of 10), Women 4th (of 12)
- 2012-2013: Men 6th (of 10), Women 7th (of 12)
- 2013-2014: Men 7th (of 10), Women 6th (of 12)
- 2014-2015: Men 5th (of 10), Women 4th (of 13)
Hite’s women’s team has never finished lower than 15th at the NCAA Championships during his time in Wisconsin, while his men’s team has had mixed success, highlighted by a Drew teDuits NCAA title in the 200 back in 2013, leading the team to a 13th-place finish.
Wisconsin’s finishes at NCAA Championships During Hite Era
- 2011-2012: Men 19th, Women 15th
- 2012-2013: Men 13th, Women 15th
- 2013-2014: Men t-32nd, Women 13th
- 2014-2015: Men 21st, Women 13th
The Madison.com reported the opposite of this article. It stated his contract is not being rolled over, due to some problems with communication and other things. Here’s the article
http://host.madison.com/sports/college/hockey/badgers-sports-athletic-board-sends-message-to-mike-eaves-bobbie/article_67da24bc-8c84-593a-ae7a-5c2e7b8799cd.html
Apparently the Associate AD in charge of swimming isn’t too impressed. Generally the athletic board extends contracts, Whitney’s was only renewed.
“The decision not to extend Hite, who was hired in 2011, was a bit surprising given the women repeated their strong 13th-place finish in the NCAA meet and the men had one of their best seasons en route to placing 21st in the national meet.
Alvarez said Terry Gawlik, the UW senior associate athletic director for sports administration, “just didn’t feel inclined to roll it over and the board felt the same way.”
Gawlik explained that she wants to “see improvement in some areas of communication and administration,” but declined to get into specifics.
Gawlik said issues developed this… Read more »
That article makes more sense. Why even put a press release out there, if there were no concerns to begin with?
This is pretty much the opposite of the article’s title “extends contract”. He just didn’t get fired is all. Issues with communication and issues with student-athletes are not good signs. The article Tallswimmer linked to doesn’t sound like they’re very happy with Hite
Yes, I agree. I meant it makes more sense for the Wisconsin swimming community who have heard different stories since he’s been there.
Good guy and a good coach. If Wisconsin’s ever going to move up, he needs to keep Beata Nelson and Katie Drabot home in the next recruiting class.
Wait until next season. He has ridden the backs of Weiss, Teduits, Martin and Van Hout-all inherited from past coaches. This next season will be his first with all his recruits.
The names you mention were not who they are now prior to Whitney’s arrival. He has developed a lot of talent. Raise your hand if you picked Matt Hutchins to win the 500 at Big Tens this year.
Worst facility in the conference, nonexistent diving; I think he is doing just fine.
What do you think he could do better at UW? They’re building a brand new aquatic center, aren’t they? That should help with recruiting. I generally agree that they need better depth and need to keep top recruits at home (McHugh, Bubolz, to name just a couple), but I think he’s done a pretty good job with what he has, and I think he’s a much better coach than Eric Hansen.
I wish Whitney well. To be fair, when I saw his teams at Cal the past 2 years, I perused the rosters and noticed they have had a lack of depth and, frankly, not a lot of Murphys or Nolan types (save Teduit, etc). Yet, IMHO, they performed well for what they have. I hope they can recruit better and move up in the Big 10/12?. and also move up in the NCAAs.
Their men and women teams give all they can in meets, and I (Cal fan) respect them very much.
Ivy Martin was our top front line swimmer on either side this year but yes we don’t get the blue chippers like in most sports. Remember Wes Laugerston (sp?)? Fizzled. A few internationals have been strong recently too. Daniel Lester comes to mind. We need to get either Katie Drabot or Beata Nelson on the Badgers. Not horribly impressed with Hite but not a disaster either.
Just on time to replace Eddie Reese when Eddie retires after Rio. I heard that rumor 2 years ago. I am honestly not impressed with his results in Wisconsin. Barry Alvarez may not soon either.
Funny, because he is buddies with Tim at Nitro and the two are very similar coaches.