So… my current HS senior’s future college coach just announced that she’s leaving next year.
We are disappointed that my kid won’t get the opportunity to train and compete under this coach, but chose the school and wouldn’t change the school because the coach is leaving.
That said, part of the decision to continue with her sport had to do with finding he right academic fit along with a team and coach that was a good fit, The uncertainty of this change before we ever get to campus is a bit unnerving, to say the least.
So… any advice for us? How is the best way to keep my kid’s spirits up and to approach this unexpected change with a positive outlook for the next three months (or longer) until she gets to campus and a new head coach is chosen?
Hello, The exact same thing happened to my son and it could not have been any better, Your daughters class will be the new coaches first real graduating class. It will mean alot to he or she as they will always have a special bond. The new coach will either be a rising star of an assistant somewhere else or a highly sought after coach at a lesser program. Either way, he or she will be highly motivated and very much into their new position.
I know from talking to my sons coach, that first full four year class really is special.
Your daughter will grow along with the new hire and get to be a part of the coaches vision.
Every coach my daughter interviewed with left the team either the first or second year, except the one she played for who stayed with her class for the whole 4 years…and then left! One school she really liked the coach but the school wasn’t a fit so she said no. That coach left the summer before D would have started and they had 3 coaches before the season even started. It can be disruptive, to be sure.
So it is not that unusual.
The kids seem to get through it. They stand together. My daughter actually liked the assistant coach better and was very sad when she left after 2 years.
In some ways it is nice for all to go in on the same level with the new coach. D’s coach had favorites (and favorite parents too) so I think a new coach is a little more fair to the freshmen. When the new coach took over this year, she inherited the recruits and the rest of the team, but the Senior Seven were gone - and so were their parents!. It would have been hard for a new coach to take over that group as they were all used to starting, to being captains, to running the show. The new coach came in and although there were 5 new seniors, they weren’t as dominant as the Seven Princesses (and mine was one of the 7)
@jmtabb
DS20 just got the email from the head coach too, it is a bit a bummer as we met her during our visit in the spring and really liked her. On the bright side, we really like coach Sica too! I do hope and believe your DD will have a great time in and outside the pool.
It does bring home the messages of choosing the school, not the coaches, as well as treating all recruiting coaches with respect as it is such a small world and swimming coach music chair has been particularly busy these couple of years.
Sorry to hear that for your daughter (and all the other girls), but what a great opportunity for the coach! Unfortunately, the world of swimming has a revolving door of coaches on the collegiate level - especially right this moment - it’s like a chess game all over the country. At your daughter’s school, I have no doubt they will have no problem securing a great coach to continue to lead that program successfully. They have strong history, and they’ll ensure that continues.
I agree with the others I’d look at it as a new adventure for everyone involved. Everyone’s on the same level, all new to the school which brings a level of excitement. You may be pleasantly surprised with who they end up hiring 
. Have faith in the her school, have faith in the process. Best of luck to your daughter!
We moved my S to school last fall and at a reception that evening the coach announced he was leaving in 2 weeks. It’s actually very common. My S likes the new coach more than the one who left. Tell your D to be open minded, and she might be pleasantly surprised.
I thought of you @jmtabb when we received an email about the coach leaving. I don’t really have college advice but my D20 chose her high school in part because of the coach. She decided against another amazing school (Exeter) because in part the coach was older and she thought she’d leave. Guess what…the exact opposite thing happened! All is good and she actually likes the new coach at her school more (the former assistant) but it shows you can’t count on anything when it comes to athletic coaches. I guess it’s a good question beforehand. Some coaches are in multi-year contracts as well.