The choice of Michael Bohl (women’s team) and Rohan Taylor (men’s team) to replace Leigh Nugent as head coaches of the Australian swim team will appease some and horrify others.
Bohl has always been that rare thing, a darling of almost any interest group you care to name within the ocassionally fractious swimming community – so svelte is his poolside and general manner.
His opening remarks, however, on the most contentious area of his new appointment – swimmer behaviour – must leave some scratching their heads.
“My job will not be to impose discipline’, he said.
“That is something I would take up with the swimmer’s individual coach.”
At this point someone should perhaps have reminded Bohl that he personally coached the two most troublesome males on the (pre-Stilnox) London team, Nick Darcy and Kenrick Monk, before they were foisted onto Leigh Nugent’s shoulders. Bohl’s comments don’t seem to tally with the current expectations after the recent turmoil.
By naming Taylor as the men’s coach, Swimming Australia has risked outcry from the pedagogically precious for his part in a swimmers’ training camp in which mock executions were held.
Swimming Australia itself reprimanded him over the incident, which occurred in the context of an Australian Navy boot camp. If he can assuage this possible outrage, Taylor may be just the man swimming’s ‘bad boy’ culture needs.
Swimming Australia, however, will defend any criticism of the choices in the context of the temporary solution they are. It has claimed a permanent head coach will be appointed after this year’s world championships in August.
In any case, both Taylor and Bohl have expressed a determination to hang on to their day jobs with their own super successful swim squads (Bohl at St Peters in Brisbane and Taylor at Nunawading).
Short of bringing back former no-nonsense head coach Don Talbot, now in his seventies, the next permanent appointment will be one of the most awaited announcements of recent years.
brad cooper
Guest
Hi Sheek, Cowcorner, Yes, there isn't a woman capable of heading up the women's team. At least that seems the patriarchal view of Swimming Australia. In fairness though, very few women are in charge of elite squads in Australia, so it limits the selection field. As an example, where I live (Gold Coast), not one of the seven or so clubs with nationally ranked swimmers has a female head coach. There are one or two woman assistants who might make no-nonsense head coaches if they ever struck out on their own, but then they'd have to start all over with seven year olds. On the subject of Magnussen, yes he has made the odd public apology. And yes, as soon as it's out he behaves as if he regrets that too - with little asides citing media exaggeration. His management should be telling him to make all apologies unqualified, whether he really believes the media knives were out for him or not. Public contrition is a hard thing to swallow, particularly for an athlete whose identity is built on dominance.
cowcorner
Roar Pro
Brad. Good point re Bohr coaching Monk and Darcy.Obviously did not help them develop discretion. One would have thought that issue may have arisen in the job interview with whoever it is at Swimming Australia that interviewed candidates. Magnussen seems an interesting guy---as you say Sheek, he says the right thing one day, then acts like a prat shortly after. I think he needs to have a look at Anna Meares and look at how she has handled her opportunities and also extreme disappointment.
sheek
Roar Guru
Gidday Brad, I simply don't know enough of either Bohl or Taylor to comment. However, your assessment of both men's behaviour with previous squad teams is disturbing. Meanwhile, Magnussen appears unrepentant & totally incapable of understanding the effect of his behaviour leading up to & in London.He appears to say all the right things, then a week later completely contradicts what he said earlier, indicating resentment rather than any genuine contrition. If ever a guy set himself up for an almighty fall, it was Magnussen. All very well to 'talk the talk', but then you must 'walk the walk' also. BTW, if there is a need for two head coaches, isn't there a woman capable enough of heading up the women's team?