While swim meets and practices are largely on hold worldwide right now due to the effects of COVID-19, BSN Sports still wants to highlight and celebrate swim teams from around the country. Today, we’re taking a look at the Dynamo Swim Club, a USA Swimming club team that’s served the Atlanta, GA, area for over 50 years. During that time, Dynamo has helped develop swimmers at all levels, from beginners to Olympic gold medalists.
BSN Sports Team Ambassador Jessica Hardy spoke with head coach Ian Murray to get a sense of what makes Dynamo special, as well as some of his thoughts on coaching in general.
In Murray’s view, coaching is first and foremost all about people, something that he and the rest of the Dynamo staff emphasize. “Coaching may have something to do with Xs and Os, but it most has to do with Janes and Joes. Coaching is about relationships.”
In the context of swimming, we typically think about relationships in the context of how the coaches influence swimmers, or how the swimmers relate to each other, but Murray also talked about how he’s he learned from other coaches over the years.
I was fortunate to have two great bosses throughout my coaching career. I first coached at Lake Erie Silver Dolphins in Cleveland, working for Jerry Holtrey. Jerry as great because he gave me opportunities most young coaches wouldn’t get. I was willing to work harder than he asked and in return he gave me experiences. My second boss was Chris Plumb at Carmel Swim Club. Chris treated me more as a partner than a subordinate. He valued what his coaches thought and allowed everyone to have a voice in the decision making process. I think about these lessons each day when I interact with my coaching staff at Dynamo.
With relationships being such a big part of Dynamo’s focus, it’s no surprise that Murray’s favorite coaching memory isn’t tied to a specific race, or meet, but rather “Anytime I get a text or phone call from a former athlete just checking in or to tell me something new they have done.”
That emphasis on relationships also means that Dynamo is proactive in helping develop athletes to be future leaders, in and out of the water. “We in the process of becoming partners with the Positive Coaching Alliance and use a lot of their materials to help guide us. With the help of PCA, our athletes work to make themselves better, their teammates better, and the sport better.”
Lastly, we asked Murray about what kind of advice he’s giving swimmers while “normal life” is on hold.
Our Zoom meetings are about more about connection and camaraderie, and less about workouts. I feel it is important for me to see how they are doing mentally and emotionally, then we worry about the physical piece. I am also challenging them to grow in areas outside of their sport so they can come out on the other side of all this as better versions of themselves. Finally, I emphasize that your routine is critical. I have asked my athletes to remain on their normal weekly workout schedule with our modifications for only land based training.
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