Roman Willets Named Alabama Swimming and Diving Assistant Coach
6/30/2021 1:16:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
The University of Michigan graduate joins Margo Geer’s first staff following a season with the NCAA Runner-up California Golden Bears
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Roman Willets has joined the Alabama swimming and diving staff as an assistant coach, Margo Geer, the Crimson Tide's head coach, announced Wednesday.
Willets joins Alabama after spending the 2020-21 season on the University of California men's staff, where he helped lead the Golden Bears to a runner-up finish at the 2021 NCAA Championships and the Pac-12 Championship.
Head Coach Margo Geer Said
"We are thrilled to welcome Roman Willets to the Alabama family. He brings a wealth of knowledge, dedication and passion for the sport, and we look forward to adding his energy to our program. The staff and I are excited about the strides our team has made during this past collegiate season and into the summer and we are confident that bringing Roman on board will help push the team to new heights."
Roman Willets Said
"I'm extremely grateful to Margo Geer and the administration for the opportunity to join the coaching staff in Tuscaloosa. The University of Alabama swimming and diving program has continued to add to its rich history at the SEC, NCAA and international level in recent years. I am so honored to have the opportunity to work with the team as they build that momentum both in and out of the pool."
Willets joins associate head coaches Ozzie Quevedo and James Barber, diving coach Jesse Lyman and assistant coach Reed Fujan on Geer's first Crimson Tide staff.
About Roman Willets
- Coached at Ladera Oaks Swim and Tennis Club prior to joining the Cal staff, developing the senior and age group programs in addition to the program's overall strength and conditioning system as well as team operations
- Also served as a triathlon volunteer assistant coach at the University of San Francisco (2019-20), where he helped the Dons build up the program's dryland and in-water training program
- Willets was the Director of Competitive Swimming for the Bay Club Company (2015-18), where he led the development of a six-site, 400-plus swimmer age group program throughout the Bay Area
- Spent two years (2014-15) working with Bob Bowman and Erik Posegay at North Baltimore Aquatic Club, where he helped train Olympians Michael Phelps and Alison Schmitt as well as NBAC's High Performance group
- Worked with Keenan Robinson, the U.S. National Team Director of Sports Medicine and Science, while with NBAC, helping implement age group and high school strength and conditioning programs
- An All-American for the University of Michigan (2010-13), Willets served as team captain of the Wolverines' 2013 Big Ten and NCAA Championship squad, swimming for Mike Bottom
- The Whitehouse, Ohio, native graduated from Michigan in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in secondary education and working towards a master's degree in kinesiology
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