Yale’s Director of Athletics, Tom Beckett, announced today that the Bulldogs will be combining the men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs going forward, and that Jim Henry has been named Yale’s Robert J.H. Kiphuth Head Coach of Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving. Henry, who just completed his fifth year at the helm of the women’s team, coached the Bulldogs to their first Women’s Ivy League title in 20 years.
“This is a very exciting time for Yale Swimming,” said Beckett. “We are thrilled that Jim accepted the position of men’s and women’s head coach. He has had an outstanding coaching career and will be a great leader for both teams.”
The announcement comes a week after Tim Wise stepped down from his position as head coach of men’s swimming and diving. The decision to combine the men’s and women’s programs runs counter to recent trends in Ivy League swimming; Brown separated their two programs in 2015, and Cornell split theirs in 2015.
Over the last five years, Henry has led the Yale women’s team to 28 conference dual meet wins in 35 outings, including two consecutive undefeated seasons. He has had eight swimmers qualify for NCAAs, and has been a United States National Team Coaching Member four times.
“It is an honor to be given the opportunity to lead both teams. I look forward to continuing the tradition of excellence in the classroom and pool at one of the best universities in the world,” said Henry, who has 24 years of coaching experience, including 17 at the collegiate level. “I believe that by working together we can achieve our goals of graduating the leaders of tomorrow. I want to thank my team, Tom Beckett, our incredible alumni, and the Yale community for the support. We are excited to get started working on our future successes.”
Prior to his arrival at Yale, Henry had been an assistant coach and associate head coach for the University of Texas women’s team. Before that he worked at the University of Denver and at Southern Methodist University.
Who????
Being able to afford 2 coaches doesn’t mean it’s the best interest of the team to be separate.
Hey! I called this in the comments of post about Time Wise stepping down. That raises my career total of correct predictions on this site to……ONE!
Always felt he should have been offered the Texas Women’s job.
Coach Capitani is doing a great job, but maybe this could be a precursor to the Men’s job. Eddie does have to retire at some point. I’d love to see Jim return to Austin.
Attaway to go Jim Henry!
Congrats, Jim!
And I bet they will pay him twice as much. Ha!
Amazing man and even better coach