WEBVTT
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Tennessee is allowing me to be the person and the coach that I want to be.
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I don't approach this job like it's the end of my career.
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I almost approach it like I'm just beginning.
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When you have that sort of mindset, you can only really give your very best and you're all, and I'm still learning.
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And our new Tennessee diving head coach also wrapped up her first year on Rocky Top as well.
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We saw multiple SEC medals won and multiple NCAA top eight podium finishes as well.
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She has an exceptional career at the collegiate and international level with international championships, world championships, European championships, and Olympic medals.
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And I know that what's happening over at the pool for her and her program is only just the beginning.
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So please welcome the one and only the legendary Dave Figareto.
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Well, we have one of the best coaches in the history of diving on the podcast with us today.
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Thank you so much for coming here, Tennessee head diving coach Jane Figuero.
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Thank you for having me.
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My research was so much fun learning about your history, which I kind of already got a taste of when Dave Perrington came on last season.
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But before we get into all of that, we just wrapped up year one with you here in Knoxville, Tennessee on Rocky Top.
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It concluded with four NCAA top eight podium finishes, three SEC top three podium finishes.
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If you could sum it all up, how would you describe this first season here?
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Yeah, I mean, amazing, right?
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We um I the way that I sort of do my work, um, I put a lot of expectation and pressure on myself to deliver.
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And I thought um it was absolutely brilliant.
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I mean, we coming so late in the year at the end of April, um, you know, we were able to land a couple of recruits, which probably is unheard of, big ones, Tishan Ben, Ashmiel, Thomas Cyprick, and Fraser Taverner.
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And then we're already on board with Bennett Green, who had a phenomenal year.
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So I think we more than um it's never enough, let's say that, right?
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So you never think you you're doing enough, but I think we did a pretty darn good job.
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I would say so.
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Yeah.
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Looking back, year one was pretty good.
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Yeah.
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You have coached at the highest levels internationally and collegiately.
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What still excites you every single day about stepping on the pool deck?
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Well, you know, we make a difference every day in kids' lives.
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So that's number one priority is remembering that we are here, we have a purpose as well as performance.
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Um, I've always taken changing kids' lives and hopefully making it better as a number one priority.
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So um I enjoy that so much.
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The performance comes from a lot of hard work that they put in every day and the coaching staff put in.
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And then we we really go to the very end giving our very best, and then hopefully we end up with a good a good product and great things happen.
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And um, I think we I think for the first year we really did that.
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Diving is such a niche sport for you growing up.
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What made you fall in love with it?
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And then also realize a love for coaching that you had and pursuing a career in that as well.
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Yeah, I I mean I've I've always loved coaching, I've always loved teaching.
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If I wasn't a coach, I probably would have been a teacher.
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Um, and it is niche.
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It's a sport where you really get to work together in a relationship.
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Um, and I've always, you know, guarded regarded my relationships with my athletes as something very, very special.
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And I think from that you get incredible performances.
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I don't know if they sort of go together, but I I believe they do.
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I had those kind of relationships in Great Britain um with Tom Daly and Matty Lee and Noah Williams, Scarlett.
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Um, so all the kids, I had uh just incredible relationships with them.
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And they they work for you, right?
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Um and I work for them.
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So I think if you've got a common goal, a common purpose, I think something really great can transpire from that.
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Lastly, for just a little intro into who you are before we get into the weeds here.
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Uh, for people that don't know you outside of your accolades, how would you describe who Jane is, the person, and also Jane the coach?
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Well, I think I'm very similar, Jane the person and Jane the coach.
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Um, I think personality plays uh a really key role here.
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I think I grew up in a very, very positive environment in Zimbabwe as a little girl in Africa, running around with no shoes on, sun was shining.
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Um, and and I think that positivity, my family instilled in me.
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And so it's just from those days, um, being able to be authentic and and be as open as I can.
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Sometimes people might find me a little too open because I say what's on my mind.
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I I um but but I think when you're trying to achieve such high things, I think you've got to be authentic and you've got to be close to your athletes.
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As a coach, um, I wake up every day and I I try to be the best.
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Um and I think you know your life is very short.
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Um, and especially when you're in a job like mine, when you gotta give so much and so much passion.
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I think you've got to give absolutely everything you got.
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And so I love getting up and and giving my very best.
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Which is perfect as to you know, landing here at Tennessee, which is the mantra of giving my all for Tennessee.
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I'm like it.
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It really came around beautifully full circle for you.
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So let's talk about that a little bit.
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You've built a resume that includes Olympic coaching experience, world championships, European championships, national championships, and developing some of the best divers in the world.
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When you hear all that and you reflect on your journey today, what stands out to you the most about your career?
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Well, you know, accolades are all wonderful, right?
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But I think you've got to keep pushing, keep learning, keep expanding your knowledge.
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I never and I never wake up and feel like, well, I know it all.
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And um, I think that's a danger in coaching.
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Um I think you've got to pursue it like you just started yesterday.
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And I see way too many coaches just sort of sitting back, relaxing.
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Um, and I that's just not my way.
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So um, and everybody around me will tell you that I'm constantly pushing.
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Hopefully, I'm doing it in the right way where they feel my passion and um my desire for excellence.
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And I think if you're not shooting for excellence, then you shouldn't be doing it.
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Um so I just, you know, um Tennessee is allowing me to be the person and the coach that I want to be.
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And I'm very, very grateful.
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And I think um I don't approach this job like it's the end of my career.
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I almost approach it like I'm just beginning.
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And I think when you have that sort of mindset, um then you can only really have fun, you can only really give your very best and your all, and and I'm still learning, right?
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I I don't feel like I know it all.
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I feel like I've still got to expand my knowledge.
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Um, and I'm just so so grateful.
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So around this time last year, 2025, Dave Parrington had announced his retirement, and there are a lot of question marks around who was going to be able to fill in his shoes with the legacy that he had created here at Tennessee.
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Yeah.
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And we talked about this a little bit before uh we started the podcast, but um, the story of you and Dave's friendship goes back years.
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Was it was the start of it in Zimbabwe?
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It was, yeah.
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So you guys knew each other all the way back then?
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Yes, I actually was a swimmer.
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So I swam for Dave's mom.
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That's right.
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I was 11 years old.
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Um and she she was a fantastic woman.
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We all we were all scared to death.
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Um, but it was because she there was something about her, so much greatness about her, so much leader uh qualities that she had.
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Although she was tough, she was very well respected, and and I loved swimming, but swimming wasn't my thing, right?
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Um swimming, I wanted to be with my head out of the water, not my head in the water.
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So I went from swimming with Mrs.
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P, Dave's mom, in her backyard in Zimbabwe, to to changing sports and deciding I'd like to try diving.
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That looks like much more fun.
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Um, and so that's where that transpired.
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And then fast forward to Dave being the head coach at Houston, where he recruited you to be a student athlete of his there.
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And then we fast forward a little bit more and you followed in his footsteps and being the head coach at Houston in the diving program there.
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And now, fast forward all the way here to 2026, you're wrapping up year one on Rocky Top following Dave's career that he had here.
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How influential was Dave in your life?
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Um, and and almost how poetic is this moment that um everything keeps coming full circle at the same time.
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Yeah, well, just based on what you've been talking about, it almost like I was stalking him or something.
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But you know, I I think um my desire to be a Tennessee wasn't something I really um when I left London and moved back to the States, I wasn't thinking about Tennessee.
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And at that time, Dave had not retired.
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Um so it was almost like stumbling across something.
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Um, and and I knew how hard that was for him.
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And at the time I wasn't thinking, well, you know, Dave's gonna leave, maybe I should become the coach.
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It was really over a period of time where I knew Rich the assistance from coach and had some conversations with Matt, came to visit Dave.
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And to be quite honest, one of my dreams always as a young coach was to coach at one of the biggest, greatest universities in college sports.
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So when I came here, I sort of remember thinking that when I was a young coach.
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And um yeah, just I was sad for Dave.
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Um, but at the same time, I almost was in the right place at the right time, and this was almost my destiny.
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Um, I was gonna go on sabbatical, I was gonna take a couple of years off and rest.
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That never is true.
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Um, and then coming to visit Dave, it almost was like, well, here's this opportunity in front of me.
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Maybe this is the one, maybe in two years when I come out of taking a break, maybe this won't be available.
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Right.
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So I've always been somebody who um if I see an opportunity, I usually am a risk taker and I I just always sort of jump at it and think, well, I can make this work.
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This can be a great program for me.
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Yeah.
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You you kind of answered my next question because I was so curious with you coming off of the Toronto 24 Paris Olympics, what was it that made you think, okay, now I want to go back to college with my career that I've had, you know, for the past couple of decades at the Olympics stage?
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I want to go to the college stage now.
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Um, but you did kind of touch on it a little bit, but uh ultimately when you were here visiting and you know the opportunity presented itself, you you kind of said it, but like Knoxville just felt like home for you in the right place to be at the right time.
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Yeah, I think, you know, at the time, obviously, when I left London, um I had achieved probably more than I thought I was.
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I we won three medals at the Paris Olympics.
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Um that was unheard of for a coach, especially in diving circles, other than China, right?
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They win gold medals like it's nothing.
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But um I think I really I was really tired, you know, leaving London.
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Tom had retired, Matty had retired.
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Um and I I just felt like I needed more than just work.
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Um and trust me, 11 years was phenomenal.
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I loved every minute of it.
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There were challenges which helped me grow as a coach and as a person.
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And um coming to Knoxville was not something that I had on my radar at all.
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Um, but it almost seemed like, you know, I was gonna come back to the States.
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Um, I had no intention of coaching in college.
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In fact, Houston coach reached out to me at NC and said, I can't believe you didn't contact me.
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And I was like, that I never go backwards.
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I'm always moving forwards.
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So that would have, and I'm a cougar lifelong.
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Yes, that almost would have seen, seemed to me as to be going back.
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Yes, and I never want to go back, I always want to move forwards.
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So yeah, Tennessee was, I mean, look, I know the history of Tennessee, and the pool is amazing, um, the staff were amazing.
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Um, and Dave showed me around, and I was just like, whoa.
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Okay.
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So it it was almost like something new, but but also something extremely exciting.
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Yes.
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You made the decision to have Mike Wright join your coaching staff this year.
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He was a former volunteer here and had a tremendous career, one of the best in program history, and then was the South Carolina diving head coach.
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What was it about him and his skill set that made you really believe in him and wanting him to come join you here?
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Well, obviously, I've known Mike over the past few years because he had a British diver.
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Um, and he would come to London and compete at the Nationals.
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So I already knew Mike on a very surface level.
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Um, I knew that he loved Tennessee.
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I knew that.
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Um, and I think South Carolina was almost like a stepping stone onto what would be next in his career.
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I think it was hard there for him.
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Um he didn't get a lot of scholarships.
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And I think his passion all along probably was at some point coming back and being a Tennessee head coach.
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Um and unfortunately, I sort of stood in his way.
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And and seeing Mike and how much love he had for Tennessee, it almost made sense to kids loved him, and I could mentor him, and he could learn things that he probably would never learn.
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Um, so it almost seemed like a perfect package.
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Yes.
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And and Matt Kreditch, the swim coach, was you know, his ability to show how much he's investing in diving by hiring Mike and myself.
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Um, I think really stands out or should stand out in the swimming world that Tennessee is serious about sported diving, which most swimming programs aren't necessarily feeling that same way.
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Yes, I feel like um across the country it could be looked at swimming, oh, and also diving.
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Yeah.
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But I remember when the announcement came out with your new head coaching position, and my first thought was first of all, this is incredible.
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And second, Mike.
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Like, what is up with him?
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What is his status?
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And then the announcement came following that he was gonna join you.
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And I was like, wow, this couldn't have worked out truly any better.
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He obviously bleeds orange, so it was just like, like you said, a perfect match, and like everybody was going to get something positive out of this.
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Yeah, and I I think that's what the diving program andor the swimming and diving program really needed, this this boost and belief in a program that could contribute in a big way.
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And and I think if I hadn't felt like that was gonna be Matt's intention, um, I don't think I would have come.
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Because what would have been the point?
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You know, I'm I'm not one of those coaches that's just gonna sit by and take scraps or breadcrumbs.
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So I think for Matt and I, it was an amazing opportunity to collaborate as some of the top coaches in our sport, and then also to bring along somebody like Mike, who I don't know how many years that is from now.
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Hopefully he's patient.
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Um but you know, that was our initial conversations.
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Is Mike gonna be patient?
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Is because he's head coach quality and caliber.
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Um, and and so my worry always was, you know, what would make him sit around and wait?
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Um, and you know, we'll see.
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I mean, we we can't answer that question today, but certainly, you know, my plan is not to be here for 20 years.
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Um, and I hope Mike will be patient and and wait for that opportunity, because clearly he'll be he'll be more than ready when it comes around.
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Your path to Tennessee includes participating as an athlete and coach in eight of the last 11 Olympic games, which is remarkable, and developing world-class divers like the legendary Tom Daly, which you've already mentioned, and sitting here like I'm giddy, just even like talking about that growing up, watching the Olympics.
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And so just looking back on all the experiences that you've had, is there one that really stands out to you the most as maybe a maybe not a turning point, but one that was like a launching pad to what was going to come?
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Yeah, I love that question.
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Uh, because one particular thing comes to my mind when I was first recruited out to London.
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You know, people sort of warn me about the status of a Tom Daly.
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And do you think you can handle that red carpet and the, you know, all the noise around such a legend in his country?
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He he's the guy.
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Um, and I don't think about those things, right?
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I just go for it.
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And I think when I really stopped to think about it was in Rio Olympics in 2016, I think that was a real turning point for Tom and I.
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Um we had talked too much about winning a gold medal.
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And I think what I've learned in that process is sometimes when you talk too much and then you don't deliver, that can be a devastating period of time.
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And so that's basically what happened.
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Um and I, we got caught up in the media circuits and talked about, yeah, we're gonna win the gold medal.
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And um we we just did not prepare in the way that we should have.
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And so when we, I I mean, I wouldn't call it a failure because he still won a medal, um, but when we weren't able to realize our dreams, um, it was a devastating time for him and I.
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And I think we probably at that time thought that that would be the end of our relationship and let's move on.
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Um, because clearly we didn't achieve.
00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:31.359
But I think both Tom and I realized that, well, there were a lot of naysayers, right?
00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:46.720
And that was the first time in my career where a lot of they call them uh uh backroom quarterbacks, you know, the guys that sit on the outside criticizing like they know what's happening on the inside.
00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:49.039
And you know, why did you fail?
00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:50.960
And and what happened?
00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:52.160
What did you do?
00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:54.240
Did you make him train too much?
00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:59.440
So these are all things that a lot of coaches might have run away from.
00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:05.599
But my nature and Tom's nature was we were going to prove people wrong.
00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:13.440
And I think that for me was a humongous turning point in my career, coaching somebody like Tom.
00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:16.960
And we just came back from the Olympics.
00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:18.799
I mean, we were devastated.
00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:23.440
And I thought, no, I think it's time for me to leave and go back to the States.
00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:30.400
And him and I sort of had our come to Jesus conversation.
00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:35.519
And we were both willing to admit there had been several mistakes.
00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:42.799
And I think once you get that out on the table and you start owning it, what were the mistakes?
00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:46.160
And how can we be better next time?
00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:46.400
Yes.
00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.759
You can't just walk away.
00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:48.799
You can't quit.
00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:51.039
Because now you've got a job to do.
00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:56.960
So what we did was I told him, I don't want to hear another word about winning a gold medal.
00:22:57.200 --> 00:23:04.240
If we're going to win a gold medal, we're going to say it between the two of us, and we're not going to say another word about it to anybody.
00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:12.880
So that's how our journey started to winning the gold medal was learning all of those from your mistakes.
00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:46.079
And I think that moment where we both decided, okay, we're going to stay and we're going to kill it.
00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:47.119
And that's what we did.
00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:57.039
And we ended up winning the gold medal in 21 in Tokyo, in our own little world, because right, COVID, we had masks on.
00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:59.599
There was nobody in the stands.
00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:07.359
Because it's just you.
00:24:07.599 --> 00:24:16.880
You and him, you and Matty, three of us, and then our strength coach and my physio couldn't have got through without them.
00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:24.000
So I would say that for me was really the most traumatic turning point in my career.
00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:25.839
That you don't quit when you're down.
00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:26.480
Yes.
00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:27.519
That's it.
00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:40.400
I love that lesson, and it echoes so much of the same sentiment that I feel like I've heard throughout my life from my own parents of like when things are great, you don't take that opportunity to reflect and grow and figure out how to get better.
00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:42.240
You're just living in that moment.
00:24:42.480 --> 00:24:46.400
It's the hard times when you grow the most, which I love that you're echoing that.
00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:58.799
Um what I what I want to ask about too is you know, looking at watching back that video of Bennett having the perfect amongst perfect dives in order to secure that SEC gold medal this past year.
00:24:58.880 --> 00:24:59.039
Yeah.
00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:07.920
And the way that you and the team celebrated him, I can only imagine was the same level, if not more emotion that you had on the Olympic stage when Tom won gold.
00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:16.960
For you, how rewarding is it when you've put in so much time and energy and effort into these athletes and you want it so bad for them?
00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:17.279
Yeah.
00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:19.279
And then they go out and they're able to do it.
00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:19.839
Yeah.
00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:26.720
You know, when you're celebrating like that, you're celebrating more than just the performance.
00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:35.759
You're celebrating all your hard work, you're celebrating the decisions that you made to come to Tennessee.
00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:40.640
You're celebrating all of the things you've sacrificed.
00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:46.640
Um, and each time you have a success story, you're celebrating all of those things.
00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:53.519
Um Bennett, you know, he's such an amazing athlete, amazing human being.
00:25:53.759 --> 00:26:03.839
And I think bringing in great divers um in April really pushed Bennett to elevate to another level.
00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:17.440
Um, so I think just making those kind of decisions to bring other great divers into this program helped him elevate because he's a competitive guy.
00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.880
He doesn't want to lose.
00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:21.759
And he's been crushing it all year.
00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:22.000
Yeah.
00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:24.880
So he doesn't want to even lose to other people.
00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:26.799
He doesn't want to lose to those guys.
00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.200
Yeah.
00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:42.960
Um, so I think seeing Bennett in that moment, and I to be quite honest, the way my mind works is I see success, but I also think to myself, we got to get to what's next for Bennett.
00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:51.599
Um, and what's next for him is being on a world stage as opposed to just in the United States.
00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:58.240
Um, and he has some very, really, really good American boys that are gonna push him.
00:26:58.400 --> 00:27:00.480
And I we're not at that level yet.
00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:02.880
So we've got a lot to go this summer.
00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:14.960
I hope to and you going back to your original question is you know, yeah, we've had a great year, but we're already thinking about what we need to do for next year.
00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:19.200
So we can't sit and relax and go, wow, let's take a moment.
00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:20.160
I should.
00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:25.839
Um you know, maybe we'll have a barbecue together and we'll celebrate and talk about it.
00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:29.839
But I think we're already starting to think about what's next.
00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:35.759
He's traveling on Monday with me to the Canada to go and compete for the USA.
00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:41.759
So these are the kind of things that um that's what's next for a guy like him.
00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:52.160
It's remarkable because even in talking with our SID Bryant about our scheduling and stuff for today, he was like, oh, well, you know, we've got practice in the afternoon, so you know, we need to do it in this window.
00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:55.440
And I'm like, didn't NCAA just end?
00:27:55.680 --> 00:27:55.839
Yeah.
00:27:56.160 --> 00:28:00.480
But that that is what is going to get these athletes to where they want to go.
00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:01.119
That's right.
00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:02.559
And it's so it's important.
00:28:02.640 --> 00:28:07.759
But I admire that so much that it's like, we can we can celebrate that, you know.
00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:08.960
It's gone.
00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:11.759
But it is, it is gone, and we are on to the next one.
00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:18.319
We are looking and moving forward, which goes kind of into my next question of, you know, you're through year one, we're looking forward to year two.
00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:23.039
What are you most excited about now that you know we got all the first kind of out of the way with year one?
00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:29.839
We're settled in now, and we're gonna go attack and elevate this program to a whole new level next year in year two.
00:28:30.079 --> 00:28:32.799
Yeah, you know, that's what's so exciting.
00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:38.559
Um, is okay, we've we've already done that, but look what we got ahead.
00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:50.559
We're bringing in four brand new recruits: a girl from Australia, a girl from Midland, Texas, a girl from Canada, and then a great boy out of Virginia.
00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:56.160
And so just when you think we're gonna be relaxing, we're not relaxing, right?
00:28:56.240 --> 00:29:01.920
We're and we do want to celebrate and and rest is a very important thing.
00:29:02.079 --> 00:29:04.079
Um, so we do do that, right?
00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:08.319
We probably have some weekends that they won't be training.
00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:12.079
Um in the summer, we're gonna be hitting it really hard.
00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:17.759
So I think we are excited about this group of kids that are coming.
00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:21.839
I think they're petrified about what's coming.
00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:31.759
Um, but you know, you want them to be excited, um, but also a little bit nervous about this is a whole nother level.
00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:36.720
So we're asking them, they need to come in ready for another level.
00:29:36.880 --> 00:29:38.799
They're not juniors anymore.
00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:52.720
So um I think if I can just get them sort of a little bit nervous about what's to come, maybe they'll prepare this summer so that they don't come and they're not overwhelmed because they will be.
00:29:53.200 --> 00:30:03.440
Well, I was gonna ask for divers who you know are seeing what Tennessee is doing now and are hopeful and maybe, you know, wanting an opportunity to come and dive here.
00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:09.119
What would you say about the experience that divers are going to get if they come here and be a volunteer?
00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:14.640
Yeah, well, I mean, I'm gonna give them my very best every single day, as Mike will.
00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:20.000
And we're gonna turn every stone, every box.
00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:22.400
We're gonna be thinking outside the box.
00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:26.160
We're not gonna stay in a rut and same routine.
00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:29.519
And that's something that I've done really well over the course of my career.
00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:33.039
Because if it's boring for me, it must be boring for them.
00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:34.640
So we try to mix it up.
00:30:34.799 --> 00:30:40.960
We try to play pickleball, we do beach volleyball, we play four square, uh paddle ball.
00:30:41.119 --> 00:30:51.119
So we we really try to change the environment so that they're being challenged in a different way and they don't get burnt out.
00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:53.119
So we're gonna offer that, right?
00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:59.599
And all of the recruits that have already signed with us already know we offer all that because they came on trips.
00:30:59.680 --> 00:30:59.920
Yes.
00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:04.880
So they know what Jane's going to and Mike are gonna deliver.
00:31:05.200 --> 00:31:08.799
Um and I I just want them to come excited.
00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:15.440
Um, and I want them to come ready to contribute to the whole program, swimming and diving.
00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:25.119
Because culturally, it's very important to build um a really good culture, and that starts at the top with us coaches.
00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:28.319
Um, and then you've got to recruit the right kind of kids.
00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:32.960
Kids that you feel like are gonna, yeah, do their all in Tennessee.
00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:33.440
Yeah.
00:31:33.599 --> 00:31:34.960
How much fun are you having right now?
00:31:35.200 --> 00:31:36.880
Yeah, it's just too much.
00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:39.119
I'm loving it.
00:31:39.279 --> 00:31:46.000
I mean, you know, let me tell you, Knoxville, I live in Sequoia Hills, which is first of all down the street.
00:31:46.160 --> 00:31:46.400
Right.
00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:48.559
Takes me two minutes to get to work.
00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:49.599
I love that.
00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:51.599
I'm right by the river.
00:31:51.839 --> 00:31:56.000
I see the morning sun come up every day from my kitchen window.
00:31:56.079 --> 00:31:57.359
It's beautiful.
00:31:57.680 --> 00:32:02.079
My neighbors make me soup, bread, meals.
00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:08.960
They pick up my Amazon Prime packages if they they see it sitting outside my front door.
00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:16.720
My neighbors come along and admire my garden that's looked like garbage because they've had rental people in it.
00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:19.359
And they're like, wow, Jane, look at you.
00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:29.839
So this appreciation that the city brings is far beyond anything that I've ever experienced.
00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:34.400
And so, how can you not like just love living here?
00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:43.279
And people in Tennessee are a very special, friendly, just warm, loving people.
00:32:43.839 --> 00:32:46.720
And so I'm loving that, absolutely loving it.
00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:48.400
Well, we're so happy to have you here.
00:32:48.799 --> 00:32:49.200
Thank you.
00:32:49.519 --> 00:32:52.240
We cannot wait to see what year two looks like.
00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:58.160
If it's any, you know, if year one is any, you know, you know, indication of what we're gonna get in year two, my goodness.
00:32:58.319 --> 00:33:00.720
It's gonna be, you guys are gonna be doing some incredible things over here.
00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:02.160
Yeah, we look forward to it.
00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:10.880
We we're gonna do everything we can to smash it every day and also try to enjoy it and balance our lives.
00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:12.559
Well, thank you so much for the time.
00:33:12.720 --> 00:33:13.119
Thanks so much.
00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:20.480
I don't want to take up too much because I know you're also trying to catch your breath before getting back on the road in the air, on the plane, everything.
00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:21.279
But thank you so much.
00:33:21.359 --> 00:33:22.160
This was wonderful.
00:33:22.400 --> 00:33:22.720
Thank you.
00:33:22.880 --> 00:33:24.079
I really love being here.
00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:25.279
Thanks so much.
00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:04.719
Tennessee is allowing me to be the person and the coach that I want to be.
00:00:04.879 --> 00:00:08.480
I don't approach this job like it's the end of my career.
00:00:08.640 --> 00:00:11.439
I almost approach it like I'm just beginning.
00:00:11.599 --> 00:00:18.079
When you have that sort of mindset, you can only really give your very best and you're all, and I'm still learning.
00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:38.880
And our new Tennessee diving head coach also wrapped up her first year on Rocky Top as well.
00:00:39.119 --> 00:00:47.119
We saw multiple SEC medals won and multiple NCAA top eight podium finishes as well.
00:00:47.359 --> 00:00:58.320
She has an exceptional career at the collegiate and international level with international championships, world championships, European championships, and Olympic medals.
00:00:58.479 --> 00:01:04.159
And I know that what's happening over at the pool for her and her program is only just the beginning.
00:01:04.400 --> 00:01:09.760
So please welcome the one and only the legendary Dave Figareto.
00:01:10.159 --> 00:01:16.239
Well, we have one of the best coaches in the history of diving on the podcast with us today.
00:01:16.480 --> 00:01:20.719
Thank you so much for coming here, Tennessee head diving coach Jane Figuero.
00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:22.480
Thank you for having me.
00:01:22.799 --> 00:01:31.040
My research was so much fun learning about your history, which I kind of already got a taste of when Dave Perrington came on last season.
00:01:31.200 --> 00:01:37.920
But before we get into all of that, we just wrapped up year one with you here in Knoxville, Tennessee on Rocky Top.
00:01:38.079 --> 00:01:44.319
It concluded with four NCAA top eight podium finishes, three SEC top three podium finishes.
00:01:44.480 --> 00:01:47.359
If you could sum it all up, how would you describe this first season here?
00:01:47.599 --> 00:01:49.519
Yeah, I mean, amazing, right?
00:01:49.680 --> 00:02:00.640
We um I the way that I sort of do my work, um, I put a lot of expectation and pressure on myself to deliver.
00:02:00.879 --> 00:02:04.480
And I thought um it was absolutely brilliant.
00:02:04.640 --> 00:02:22.879
I mean, we coming so late in the year at the end of April, um, you know, we were able to land a couple of recruits, which probably is unheard of, big ones, Tishan Ben, Ashmiel, Thomas Cyprick, and Fraser Taverner.
00:02:23.039 --> 00:02:28.080
And then we're already on board with Bennett Green, who had a phenomenal year.
00:02:28.400 --> 00:02:35.520
So I think we more than um it's never enough, let's say that, right?
00:02:35.599 --> 00:02:40.400
So you never think you you're doing enough, but I think we did a pretty darn good job.
00:02:40.719 --> 00:02:41.599
I would say so.
00:02:41.759 --> 00:02:42.000
Yeah.
00:02:42.319 --> 00:02:44.560
Looking back, year one was pretty good.
00:02:44.719 --> 00:02:44.960
Yeah.
00:02:45.199 --> 00:02:49.919
You have coached at the highest levels internationally and collegiately.
00:02:50.080 --> 00:02:53.439
What still excites you every single day about stepping on the pool deck?
00:02:53.680 --> 00:02:56.800
Well, you know, we make a difference every day in kids' lives.
00:02:56.960 --> 00:03:05.759
So that's number one priority is remembering that we are here, we have a purpose as well as performance.
00:03:05.919 --> 00:03:13.919
Um, I've always taken changing kids' lives and hopefully making it better as a number one priority.
00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:17.599
So um I enjoy that so much.
00:03:17.919 --> 00:03:25.680
The performance comes from a lot of hard work that they put in every day and the coaching staff put in.
00:03:25.919 --> 00:03:36.000
And then we we really go to the very end giving our very best, and then hopefully we end up with a good a good product and great things happen.
00:03:36.159 --> 00:03:40.240
And um, I think we I think for the first year we really did that.
00:03:40.560 --> 00:03:44.560
Diving is such a niche sport for you growing up.
00:03:44.879 --> 00:03:47.039
What made you fall in love with it?
00:03:47.199 --> 00:03:52.560
And then also realize a love for coaching that you had and pursuing a career in that as well.
00:03:52.879 --> 00:03:57.199
Yeah, I I mean I've I've always loved coaching, I've always loved teaching.
00:03:57.439 --> 00:04:00.560
If I wasn't a coach, I probably would have been a teacher.
00:04:00.800 --> 00:04:02.800
Um, and it is niche.
00:04:03.759 --> 00:04:09.680
It's a sport where you really get to work together in a relationship.
00:04:09.919 --> 00:04:18.959
Um, and I've always, you know, guarded regarded my relationships with my athletes as something very, very special.
00:04:19.360 --> 00:04:24.079
And I think from that you get incredible performances.
00:04:24.399 --> 00:04:27.920
I don't know if they sort of go together, but I I believe they do.
00:04:28.160 --> 00:04:35.759
I had those kind of relationships in Great Britain um with Tom Daly and Matty Lee and Noah Williams, Scarlett.
00:04:35.920 --> 00:04:40.720
Um, so all the kids, I had uh just incredible relationships with them.
00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:43.519
And they they work for you, right?
00:04:43.680 --> 00:04:45.519
Um and I work for them.
00:04:45.680 --> 00:04:52.639
So I think if you've got a common goal, a common purpose, I think something really great can transpire from that.
00:04:52.959 --> 00:04:57.120
Lastly, for just a little intro into who you are before we get into the weeds here.
00:04:57.279 --> 00:05:04.319
Uh, for people that don't know you outside of your accolades, how would you describe who Jane is, the person, and also Jane the coach?
00:05:04.639 --> 00:05:10.160
Well, I think I'm very similar, Jane the person and Jane the coach.
00:05:10.399 --> 00:05:16.240
Um, I think personality plays uh a really key role here.
00:05:16.399 --> 00:05:27.040
I think I grew up in a very, very positive environment in Zimbabwe as a little girl in Africa, running around with no shoes on, sun was shining.
00:05:27.199 --> 00:05:33.360
Um, and and I think that positivity, my family instilled in me.
00:05:33.759 --> 00:05:42.240
And so it's just from those days, um, being able to be authentic and and be as open as I can.
00:05:42.399 --> 00:05:47.360
Sometimes people might find me a little too open because I say what's on my mind.
00:05:47.439 --> 00:05:58.560
I I um but but I think when you're trying to achieve such high things, I think you've got to be authentic and you've got to be close to your athletes.
00:05:58.879 --> 00:06:04.800
As a coach, um, I wake up every day and I I try to be the best.
00:06:05.040 --> 00:06:10.319
Um and I think you know your life is very short.
00:06:10.480 --> 00:06:17.199
Um, and especially when you're in a job like mine, when you gotta give so much and so much passion.
00:06:17.439 --> 00:06:21.279
I think you've got to give absolutely everything you got.
00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:25.199
And so I love getting up and and giving my very best.
00:06:25.600 --> 00:06:31.199
Which is perfect as to you know, landing here at Tennessee, which is the mantra of giving my all for Tennessee.
00:06:31.360 --> 00:06:31.839
I'm like it.
00:06:32.319 --> 00:06:35.120
It really came around beautifully full circle for you.
00:06:35.360 --> 00:06:37.759
So let's talk about that a little bit.
00:06:37.920 --> 00:06:48.480
You've built a resume that includes Olympic coaching experience, world championships, European championships, national championships, and developing some of the best divers in the world.
00:06:48.720 --> 00:06:54.800
When you hear all that and you reflect on your journey today, what stands out to you the most about your career?
00:06:55.120 --> 00:06:58.000
Well, you know, accolades are all wonderful, right?
00:06:58.480 --> 00:07:06.399
But I think you've got to keep pushing, keep learning, keep expanding your knowledge.
00:07:06.560 --> 00:07:11.120
I never and I never wake up and feel like, well, I know it all.
00:07:11.600 --> 00:07:14.800
And um, I think that's a danger in coaching.
00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:20.800
Um I think you've got to pursue it like you just started yesterday.
00:07:21.040 --> 00:07:26.319
And I see way too many coaches just sort of sitting back, relaxing.
00:07:26.720 --> 00:07:30.639
Um, and I that's just not my way.
00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:36.240
So um, and everybody around me will tell you that I'm constantly pushing.
00:07:36.720 --> 00:07:44.720
Hopefully, I'm doing it in the right way where they feel my passion and um my desire for excellence.
00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:49.199
And I think if you're not shooting for excellence, then you shouldn't be doing it.
00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:59.600
Um so I just, you know, um Tennessee is allowing me to be the person and the coach that I want to be.
00:07:59.839 --> 00:08:02.000
And I'm very, very grateful.
00:08:02.240 --> 00:08:08.319
And I think um I don't approach this job like it's the end of my career.
00:08:08.480 --> 00:08:11.680
I almost approach it like I'm just beginning.
00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:24.800
And I think when you have that sort of mindset, um then you can only really have fun, you can only really give your very best and your all, and and I'm still learning, right?
00:08:24.959 --> 00:08:26.879
I I don't feel like I know it all.
00:08:26.959 --> 00:08:30.480
I feel like I've still got to expand my knowledge.
00:08:30.639 --> 00:08:34.159
Um, and I'm just so so grateful.
00:08:34.399 --> 00:08:47.759
So around this time last year, 2025, Dave Parrington had announced his retirement, and there are a lot of question marks around who was going to be able to fill in his shoes with the legacy that he had created here at Tennessee.
00:08:47.840 --> 00:08:48.080
Yeah.
00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:56.879
And we talked about this a little bit before uh we started the podcast, but um, the story of you and Dave's friendship goes back years.
00:08:57.519 --> 00:09:00.399
Was it was the start of it in Zimbabwe?
00:09:00.639 --> 00:09:01.440
It was, yeah.
00:09:01.600 --> 00:09:03.200
So you guys knew each other all the way back then?
00:09:03.440 --> 00:09:05.440
Yes, I actually was a swimmer.
00:09:05.600 --> 00:09:07.440
So I swam for Dave's mom.
00:09:07.519 --> 00:09:07.840
That's right.
00:09:08.080 --> 00:09:09.600
I was 11 years old.
00:09:09.759 --> 00:09:14.559
Um and she she was a fantastic woman.
00:09:14.720 --> 00:09:17.120
We all we were all scared to death.
00:09:17.279 --> 00:09:26.000
Um, but it was because she there was something about her, so much greatness about her, so much leader uh qualities that she had.
00:09:26.080 --> 00:09:33.840
Although she was tough, she was very well respected, and and I loved swimming, but swimming wasn't my thing, right?
00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:40.399
Um swimming, I wanted to be with my head out of the water, not my head in the water.
00:09:40.639 --> 00:09:43.039
So I went from swimming with Mrs.
00:09:43.279 --> 00:09:52.639
P, Dave's mom, in her backyard in Zimbabwe, to to changing sports and deciding I'd like to try diving.
00:09:52.799 --> 00:09:54.399
That looks like much more fun.
00:09:54.720 --> 00:09:57.759
Um, and so that's where that transpired.
00:09:58.000 --> 00:10:05.759
And then fast forward to Dave being the head coach at Houston, where he recruited you to be a student athlete of his there.
00:10:06.240 --> 00:10:13.120
And then we fast forward a little bit more and you followed in his footsteps and being the head coach at Houston in the diving program there.
00:10:13.360 --> 00:10:20.879
And now, fast forward all the way here to 2026, you're wrapping up year one on Rocky Top following Dave's career that he had here.
00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:24.720
How influential was Dave in your life?
00:10:24.879 --> 00:10:30.799
Um, and and almost how poetic is this moment that um everything keeps coming full circle at the same time.
00:10:31.039 --> 00:10:37.279
Yeah, well, just based on what you've been talking about, it almost like I was stalking him or something.
00:10:37.840 --> 00:10:53.440
But you know, I I think um my desire to be a Tennessee wasn't something I really um when I left London and moved back to the States, I wasn't thinking about Tennessee.
00:10:53.519 --> 00:10:56.480
And at that time, Dave had not retired.
00:10:56.799 --> 00:11:01.600
Um so it was almost like stumbling across something.
00:11:01.840 --> 00:11:05.519
Um, and and I knew how hard that was for him.
00:11:05.679 --> 00:11:11.759
And at the time I wasn't thinking, well, you know, Dave's gonna leave, maybe I should become the coach.
00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:23.759
It was really over a period of time where I knew Rich the assistance from coach and had some conversations with Matt, came to visit Dave.
00:11:24.159 --> 00:11:35.840
And to be quite honest, one of my dreams always as a young coach was to coach at one of the biggest, greatest universities in college sports.
00:11:36.080 --> 00:11:42.240
So when I came here, I sort of remember thinking that when I was a young coach.
00:11:42.559 --> 00:11:47.360
And um yeah, just I was sad for Dave.
00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:56.480
Um, but at the same time, I almost was in the right place at the right time, and this was almost my destiny.
00:11:56.799 --> 00:12:02.639
Um, I was gonna go on sabbatical, I was gonna take a couple of years off and rest.
00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:04.879
That never is true.
00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:12.960
Um, and then coming to visit Dave, it almost was like, well, here's this opportunity in front of me.
00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:21.360
Maybe this is the one, maybe in two years when I come out of taking a break, maybe this won't be available.
00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:21.759
Right.
00:12:22.080 --> 00:12:38.399
So I've always been somebody who um if I see an opportunity, I usually am a risk taker and I I just always sort of jump at it and think, well, I can make this work.
00:12:38.559 --> 00:12:41.600
This can be a great program for me.
00:12:41.919 --> 00:12:42.159
Yeah.
00:12:42.320 --> 00:12:57.919
You you kind of answered my next question because I was so curious with you coming off of the Toronto 24 Paris Olympics, what was it that made you think, okay, now I want to go back to college with my career that I've had, you know, for the past couple of decades at the Olympics stage?
00:12:58.080 --> 00:12:59.759
I want to go to the college stage now.
00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:11.600
Um, but you did kind of touch on it a little bit, but uh ultimately when you were here visiting and you know the opportunity presented itself, you you kind of said it, but like Knoxville just felt like home for you in the right place to be at the right time.
00:13:11.919 --> 00:13:20.799
Yeah, I think, you know, at the time, obviously, when I left London, um I had achieved probably more than I thought I was.
00:13:21.039 --> 00:13:24.559
I we won three medals at the Paris Olympics.
00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:31.759
Um that was unheard of for a coach, especially in diving circles, other than China, right?
00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:34.960
They win gold medals like it's nothing.
00:13:35.279 --> 00:13:42.240
But um I think I really I was really tired, you know, leaving London.
00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:45.600
Tom had retired, Matty had retired.
00:13:45.919 --> 00:13:52.080
Um and I I just felt like I needed more than just work.
00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:56.799
Um and trust me, 11 years was phenomenal.
00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:58.559
I loved every minute of it.
00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:03.840
There were challenges which helped me grow as a coach and as a person.
00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:11.360
And um coming to Knoxville was not something that I had on my radar at all.
00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:18.000
Um, but it almost seemed like, you know, I was gonna come back to the States.
00:14:18.159 --> 00:14:21.120
Um, I had no intention of coaching in college.
00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:27.679
In fact, Houston coach reached out to me at NC and said, I can't believe you didn't contact me.
00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:31.679
And I was like, that I never go backwards.
00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:33.440
I'm always moving forwards.
00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:37.279
So that would have, and I'm a cougar lifelong.
00:14:37.440 --> 00:14:42.879
Yes, that almost would have seen, seemed to me as to be going back.
00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:46.720
Yes, and I never want to go back, I always want to move forwards.
00:14:47.039 --> 00:14:58.159
So yeah, Tennessee was, I mean, look, I know the history of Tennessee, and the pool is amazing, um, the staff were amazing.
00:14:58.480 --> 00:15:03.120
Um, and Dave showed me around, and I was just like, whoa.
00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:03.919
Okay.
00:15:04.559 --> 00:15:10.799
So it it was almost like something new, but but also something extremely exciting.
00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:11.360
Yes.
00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:17.200
You made the decision to have Mike Wright join your coaching staff this year.
00:15:17.440 --> 00:15:26.159
He was a former volunteer here and had a tremendous career, one of the best in program history, and then was the South Carolina diving head coach.
00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:32.559
What was it about him and his skill set that made you really believe in him and wanting him to come join you here?
00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:37.919
Well, obviously, I've known Mike over the past few years because he had a British diver.
00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:42.159
Um, and he would come to London and compete at the Nationals.
00:15:42.399 --> 00:15:46.240
So I already knew Mike on a very surface level.
00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:49.120
Um, I knew that he loved Tennessee.
00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:50.480
I knew that.
00:15:50.559 --> 00:15:58.799
Um, and I think South Carolina was almost like a stepping stone onto what would be next in his career.
00:15:58.960 --> 00:16:01.039
I think it was hard there for him.
00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:03.279
Um he didn't get a lot of scholarships.
00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:12.240
And I think his passion all along probably was at some point coming back and being a Tennessee head coach.
00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:17.600
Um and unfortunately, I sort of stood in his way.
00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:34.879
And and seeing Mike and how much love he had for Tennessee, it almost made sense to kids loved him, and I could mentor him, and he could learn things that he probably would never learn.
00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:38.320
Um, so it almost seemed like a perfect package.
00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:38.720
Yes.
00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:50.639
And and Matt Kreditch, the swim coach, was you know, his ability to show how much he's investing in diving by hiring Mike and myself.
00:16:50.799 --> 00:17:04.000
Um, I think really stands out or should stand out in the swimming world that Tennessee is serious about sported diving, which most swimming programs aren't necessarily feeling that same way.
00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:10.319
Yes, I feel like um across the country it could be looked at swimming, oh, and also diving.
00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:10.720
Yeah.
00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:18.559
But I remember when the announcement came out with your new head coaching position, and my first thought was first of all, this is incredible.
00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:21.519
And second, Mike.
00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:23.200
Like, what is up with him?
00:17:23.359 --> 00:17:24.319
What is his status?
00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:26.559
And then the announcement came following that he was gonna join you.
00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:30.079
And I was like, wow, this couldn't have worked out truly any better.
00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:38.400
He obviously bleeds orange, so it was just like, like you said, a perfect match, and like everybody was going to get something positive out of this.
00:17:38.640 --> 00:17:54.799
Yeah, and I I think that's what the diving program andor the swimming and diving program really needed, this this boost and belief in a program that could contribute in a big way.
00:17:54.960 --> 00:18:02.880
And and I think if I hadn't felt like that was gonna be Matt's intention, um, I don't think I would have come.
00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:04.799
Because what would have been the point?
00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:12.240
You know, I'm I'm not one of those coaches that's just gonna sit by and take scraps or breadcrumbs.
00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:29.039
So I think for Matt and I, it was an amazing opportunity to collaborate as some of the top coaches in our sport, and then also to bring along somebody like Mike, who I don't know how many years that is from now.
00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:30.960
Hopefully he's patient.
00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:34.640
Um but you know, that was our initial conversations.
00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:37.680
Is Mike gonna be patient?
00:18:37.839 --> 00:18:41.839
Is because he's head coach quality and caliber.
00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:49.359
Um, and and so my worry always was, you know, what would make him sit around and wait?
00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:52.000
Um, and you know, we'll see.
00:18:52.079 --> 00:19:00.559
I mean, we we can't answer that question today, but certainly, you know, my plan is not to be here for 20 years.
00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:09.440
Um, and I hope Mike will be patient and and wait for that opportunity, because clearly he'll be he'll be more than ready when it comes around.
00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:27.839
Your path to Tennessee includes participating as an athlete and coach in eight of the last 11 Olympic games, which is remarkable, and developing world-class divers like the legendary Tom Daly, which you've already mentioned, and sitting here like I'm giddy, just even like talking about that growing up, watching the Olympics.
00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:39.680
And so just looking back on all the experiences that you've had, is there one that really stands out to you the most as maybe a maybe not a turning point, but one that was like a launching pad to what was going to come?
00:19:40.319 --> 00:19:41.839
Yeah, I love that question.
00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:48.880
Uh, because one particular thing comes to my mind when I was first recruited out to London.
00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:54.960
You know, people sort of warn me about the status of a Tom Daly.
00:19:55.279 --> 00:20:05.279
And do you think you can handle that red carpet and the, you know, all the noise around such a legend in his country?
00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:06.960
He he's the guy.
00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:10.960
Um, and I don't think about those things, right?
00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:12.480
I just go for it.
00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:24.079
And I think when I really stopped to think about it was in Rio Olympics in 2016, I think that was a real turning point for Tom and I.
00:20:24.559 --> 00:20:29.759
Um we had talked too much about winning a gold medal.
00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:40.960
And I think what I've learned in that process is sometimes when you talk too much and then you don't deliver, that can be a devastating period of time.
00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:44.400
And so that's basically what happened.
00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:51.759
Um and I, we got caught up in the media circuits and talked about, yeah, we're gonna win the gold medal.
00:20:51.920 --> 00:20:59.039
And um we we just did not prepare in the way that we should have.
00:20:59.200 --> 00:21:13.839
And so when we, I I mean, I wouldn't call it a failure because he still won a medal, um, but when we weren't able to realize our dreams, um, it was a devastating time for him and I.
00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:21.920
And I think we probably at that time thought that that would be the end of our relationship and let's move on.
00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:24.720
Um, because clearly we didn't achieve.
00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:31.359
But I think both Tom and I realized that, well, there were a lot of naysayers, right?
00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:46.720
And that was the first time in my career where a lot of they call them uh uh backroom quarterbacks, you know, the guys that sit on the outside criticizing like they know what's happening on the inside.
00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:49.039
And you know, why did you fail?
00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:50.960
And and what happened?
00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:52.160
What did you do?
00:21:52.400 --> 00:21:54.240
Did you make him train too much?
00:21:54.400 --> 00:21:59.440
So these are all things that a lot of coaches might have run away from.
00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:05.599
But my nature and Tom's nature was we were going to prove people wrong.
00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:13.440
And I think that for me was a humongous turning point in my career, coaching somebody like Tom.
00:22:14.559 --> 00:22:16.960
And we just came back from the Olympics.
00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:18.799
I mean, we were devastated.
00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:23.440
And I thought, no, I think it's time for me to leave and go back to the States.
00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:30.400
And him and I sort of had our come to Jesus conversation.
00:22:30.880 --> 00:22:35.519
And we were both willing to admit there had been several mistakes.
00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:42.799
And I think once you get that out on the table and you start owning it, what were the mistakes?
00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:46.160
And how can we be better next time?
00:22:46.240 --> 00:22:46.400
Yes.
00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.759
You can't just walk away.
00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:48.799
You can't quit.
00:22:49.279 --> 00:22:51.039
Because now you've got a job to do.
00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:56.960
So what we did was I told him, I don't want to hear another word about winning a gold medal.
00:22:57.200 --> 00:23:04.240
If we're going to win a gold medal, we're going to say it between the two of us, and we're not going to say another word about it to anybody.
00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:12.880
So that's how our journey started to winning the gold medal was learning all of those from your mistakes.
00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:46.079
And I think that moment where we both decided, okay, we're going to stay and we're going to kill it.
00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:47.119
And that's what we did.
00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:57.039
And we ended up winning the gold medal in 21 in Tokyo, in our own little world, because right, COVID, we had masks on.
00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:59.599
There was nobody in the stands.
00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:07.359
Because it's just you.
00:24:07.599 --> 00:24:16.880
You and him, you and Matty, three of us, and then our strength coach and my physio couldn't have got through without them.
00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:24.000
So I would say that for me was really the most traumatic turning point in my career.
00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:25.839
That you don't quit when you're down.
00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:26.480
Yes.
00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:27.519
That's it.
00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:40.400
I love that lesson, and it echoes so much of the same sentiment that I feel like I've heard throughout my life from my own parents of like when things are great, you don't take that opportunity to reflect and grow and figure out how to get better.
00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:42.240
You're just living in that moment.
00:24:42.480 --> 00:24:46.400
It's the hard times when you grow the most, which I love that you're echoing that.
00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:58.799
Um what I what I want to ask about too is you know, looking at watching back that video of Bennett having the perfect amongst perfect dives in order to secure that SEC gold medal this past year.
00:24:58.880 --> 00:24:59.039
Yeah.
00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:07.920
And the way that you and the team celebrated him, I can only imagine was the same level, if not more emotion that you had on the Olympic stage when Tom won gold.
00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:16.960
For you, how rewarding is it when you've put in so much time and energy and effort into these athletes and you want it so bad for them?
00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:17.279
Yeah.
00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:19.279
And then they go out and they're able to do it.
00:25:19.599 --> 00:25:19.839
Yeah.
00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:26.720
You know, when you're celebrating like that, you're celebrating more than just the performance.
00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:35.759
You're celebrating all your hard work, you're celebrating the decisions that you made to come to Tennessee.
00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:40.640
You're celebrating all of the things you've sacrificed.
00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:46.640
Um, and each time you have a success story, you're celebrating all of those things.
00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:53.519
Um Bennett, you know, he's such an amazing athlete, amazing human being.
00:25:53.759 --> 00:26:03.839
And I think bringing in great divers um in April really pushed Bennett to elevate to another level.
00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:17.440
Um, so I think just making those kind of decisions to bring other great divers into this program helped him elevate because he's a competitive guy.
00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:18.880
He doesn't want to lose.
00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:21.759
And he's been crushing it all year.
00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:22.000
Yeah.
00:26:22.160 --> 00:26:24.880
So he doesn't want to even lose to other people.
00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:26.799
He doesn't want to lose to those guys.
00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:27.200
Yeah.
00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:42.960
Um, so I think seeing Bennett in that moment, and I to be quite honest, the way my mind works is I see success, but I also think to myself, we got to get to what's next for Bennett.
00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:51.599
Um, and what's next for him is being on a world stage as opposed to just in the United States.
00:26:51.920 --> 00:26:58.240
Um, and he has some very, really, really good American boys that are gonna push him.
00:26:58.400 --> 00:27:00.480
And I we're not at that level yet.
00:27:00.640 --> 00:27:02.880
So we've got a lot to go this summer.
00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:14.960
I hope to and you going back to your original question is you know, yeah, we've had a great year, but we're already thinking about what we need to do for next year.
00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:19.200
So we can't sit and relax and go, wow, let's take a moment.
00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:20.160
I should.
00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:25.839
Um you know, maybe we'll have a barbecue together and we'll celebrate and talk about it.
00:27:25.920 --> 00:27:29.839
But I think we're already starting to think about what's next.
00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:35.759
He's traveling on Monday with me to the Canada to go and compete for the USA.
00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:41.759
So these are the kind of things that um that's what's next for a guy like him.
00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:52.160
It's remarkable because even in talking with our SID Bryant about our scheduling and stuff for today, he was like, oh, well, you know, we've got practice in the afternoon, so you know, we need to do it in this window.
00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:55.440
And I'm like, didn't NCAA just end?
00:27:55.680 --> 00:27:55.839
Yeah.
00:27:56.160 --> 00:28:00.480
But that that is what is going to get these athletes to where they want to go.
00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:01.119
That's right.
00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:02.559
And it's so it's important.
00:28:02.640 --> 00:28:07.759
But I admire that so much that it's like, we can we can celebrate that, you know.
00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:08.960
It's gone.
00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:11.759
But it is, it is gone, and we are on to the next one.
00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:18.319
We are looking and moving forward, which goes kind of into my next question of, you know, you're through year one, we're looking forward to year two.
00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:23.039
What are you most excited about now that you know we got all the first kind of out of the way with year one?
00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:29.839
We're settled in now, and we're gonna go attack and elevate this program to a whole new level next year in year two.
00:28:30.079 --> 00:28:32.799
Yeah, you know, that's what's so exciting.
00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:38.559
Um, is okay, we've we've already done that, but look what we got ahead.
00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:50.559
We're bringing in four brand new recruits: a girl from Australia, a girl from Midland, Texas, a girl from Canada, and then a great boy out of Virginia.
00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:56.160
And so just when you think we're gonna be relaxing, we're not relaxing, right?
00:28:56.240 --> 00:29:01.920
We're and we do want to celebrate and and rest is a very important thing.
00:29:02.079 --> 00:29:04.079
Um, so we do do that, right?
00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:08.319
We probably have some weekends that they won't be training.
00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:12.079
Um in the summer, we're gonna be hitting it really hard.
00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:17.759
So I think we are excited about this group of kids that are coming.
00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:21.839
I think they're petrified about what's coming.
00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:31.759
Um, but you know, you want them to be excited, um, but also a little bit nervous about this is a whole nother level.
00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:36.720
So we're asking them, they need to come in ready for another level.
00:29:36.880 --> 00:29:38.799
They're not juniors anymore.
00:29:39.039 --> 00:29:52.720
So um I think if I can just get them sort of a little bit nervous about what's to come, maybe they'll prepare this summer so that they don't come and they're not overwhelmed because they will be.
00:29:53.200 --> 00:30:03.440
Well, I was gonna ask for divers who you know are seeing what Tennessee is doing now and are hopeful and maybe, you know, wanting an opportunity to come and dive here.
00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:09.119
What would you say about the experience that divers are going to get if they come here and be a volunteer?
00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:14.640
Yeah, well, I mean, I'm gonna give them my very best every single day, as Mike will.
00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:20.000
And we're gonna turn every stone, every box.
00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:22.400
We're gonna be thinking outside the box.
00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:26.160
We're not gonna stay in a rut and same routine.
00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:29.519
And that's something that I've done really well over the course of my career.
00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:33.039
Because if it's boring for me, it must be boring for them.
00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:34.640
So we try to mix it up.
00:30:34.799 --> 00:30:40.960
We try to play pickleball, we do beach volleyball, we play four square, uh paddle ball.
00:30:41.119 --> 00:30:51.119
So we we really try to change the environment so that they're being challenged in a different way and they don't get burnt out.
00:30:51.279 --> 00:30:53.119
So we're gonna offer that, right?
00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:59.599
And all of the recruits that have already signed with us already know we offer all that because they came on trips.
00:30:59.680 --> 00:30:59.920
Yes.
00:31:00.079 --> 00:31:04.880
So they know what Jane's going to and Mike are gonna deliver.
00:31:05.200 --> 00:31:08.799
Um and I I just want them to come excited.
00:31:08.960 --> 00:31:15.440
Um, and I want them to come ready to contribute to the whole program, swimming and diving.
00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:25.119
Because culturally, it's very important to build um a really good culture, and that starts at the top with us coaches.
00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:28.319
Um, and then you've got to recruit the right kind of kids.
00:31:28.480 --> 00:31:32.960
Kids that you feel like are gonna, yeah, do their all in Tennessee.
00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:33.440
Yeah.
00:31:33.599 --> 00:31:34.960
How much fun are you having right now?
00:31:35.200 --> 00:31:36.880
Yeah, it's just too much.
00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:39.119
I'm loving it.
00:31:39.279 --> 00:31:46.000
I mean, you know, let me tell you, Knoxville, I live in Sequoia Hills, which is first of all down the street.
00:31:46.160 --> 00:31:46.400
Right.
00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:48.559
Takes me two minutes to get to work.
00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:49.599
I love that.
00:31:49.839 --> 00:31:51.599
I'm right by the river.
00:31:51.839 --> 00:31:56.000
I see the morning sun come up every day from my kitchen window.
00:31:56.079 --> 00:31:57.359
It's beautiful.
00:31:57.680 --> 00:32:02.079
My neighbors make me soup, bread, meals.
00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:08.960
They pick up my Amazon Prime packages if they they see it sitting outside my front door.
00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:16.720
My neighbors come along and admire my garden that's looked like garbage because they've had rental people in it.
00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:19.359
And they're like, wow, Jane, look at you.
00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:29.839
So this appreciation that the city brings is far beyond anything that I've ever experienced.
00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:34.400
And so, how can you not like just love living here?
00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:43.279
And people in Tennessee are a very special, friendly, just warm, loving people.
00:32:43.839 --> 00:32:46.720
And so I'm loving that, absolutely loving it.
00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:48.400
Well, we're so happy to have you here.
00:32:48.799 --> 00:32:49.200
Thank you.
00:32:49.519 --> 00:32:52.240
We cannot wait to see what year two looks like.
00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:58.160
If it's any, you know, if year one is any, you know, you know, indication of what we're gonna get in year two, my goodness.
00:32:58.319 --> 00:33:00.720
It's gonna be, you guys are gonna be doing some incredible things over here.
00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:02.160
Yeah, we look forward to it.
00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:10.880
We we're gonna do everything we can to smash it every day and also try to enjoy it and balance our lives.
00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:12.559
Well, thank you so much for the time.
00:33:12.720 --> 00:33:13.119
Thanks so much.
00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:20.480
I don't want to take up too much because I know you're also trying to catch your breath before getting back on the road in the air, on the plane, everything.
00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:21.279
But thank you so much.
00:33:21.359 --> 00:33:22.160
This was wonderful.
00:33:22.400 --> 00:33:22.720
Thank you.
00:33:22.880 --> 00:33:24.079
I really love being here.
00:33:24.240 --> 00:33:25.279
Thanks so much.
