Dennis Pursley, Auburn’s current director of swimming operations, will be making the move across the big pond to lead British swimming to the 2012 Olympics.
“When it was originally talked about, it was a surprise,” said Richard Quick, Auburn’s head men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach. “And it was a huge disappointment. He’s really helped our coaching staff and our athletes.”
The four-year commitment will not be Pursley’s first experience in international swimming operations and coaching. He was the first National Team Director of USA Swimming in1989, a position he held for 14 years. He was also inducted into the American Swimming Coaches Hall of Fame in 2006.
Pursley came to Auburn in May 2007 along with his son, Brian, who will remain at Auburn.
“It’s not an easy decision, but we feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity we’ve had here the past year,” Pursley said. “This is an exceptional opportunity in a number of ways. They are going to be hosting the 2012 Olympic Games, so there’s a lot of excitement and incentive surrounding that.”
Pursley said when he was first approached with the job opportunity, he turned it down, because he had no plans to leave Auburn. But the final offer was something he couldn’t turn down.
“We’re going to bite the bullet and make the move and make the most of it, but we’re really going to miss Auburn in general,” Pursley said. “And the athletic department in particular, with the positive leadership from Jay Jacobs and from working with Meredith (Jenkins) and of course, the head coach here, Richard Quick. It’s a great honor and pleasure to work with and for him.”
In his new position, Pursley will be working with Britain’s national performance director Michael Scott.
“I haven’t known him for long, I’ve known of him,” Pursley said. “I know he’s accomplished and has a good reputation, and I’ve been very impressed with the interaction I have had with him the last few weeks.”
He anticipates what he calls the normal challenges of coming into a different program, but wants to fix one in particular.
“(The) big challenge is going to be getting them to believe they are capable of winning a significant number of medals in 2012, because they’re under the radar screen right now and have not been real productive in the medal count in major international competition,” Pursley said.
Pursley’s last official day with Auburn is Aug. 15, but he won’t begin his new position until the last week of September.
“It’s really tough for me to even think about leaving this place, because I truly do love it here,” Pursley said.
Auburn will be looking for someone to replace Pursley, and the job has already been posted. Quick said he was certain there would be plenty of qualified applicants for the position.
“The program will move forward and won’t skip a beat, so we’re working to make sure that happens,” Pursley said.
After he finishes the four years with British swimming, Pursley said he would like to come back to Auburn.
“Unfortunately, my crystal ball hasn’t been too accurate over the years, but one of the advantages to this position is when it’s all said and done, I should be in a financial position where I can kind of go where I want to go and do what I want to do,” Pursley said. “And if that’s the case, Auburn’s going to be at the top of the list of where I’d like to settle down.” ning a significant number of medals in 2012, because they’re under the radar screen right now and have not been real productive in the medal count in major international competition,” Pursley said.
Pursley’s last official day with Auburn is Aug. 15, but he won’t begin his new position until the last week of September.
“It’s really tough for me to even think about leaving this place, because I truly do love it here,” Pursley said.
Auburn will be looking for someone to replace Pursley, and the job has already been posted. Quick said he was certain there would be plenty of qualified applicants for the position.
“The program will move forward and won’t skip a beat, so we’re working to make sure that happens,” Pursley said.
After he finishes the four years with British swimming, Pursley said he would like to come back to Auburn.
“Unfortunately, my crystal ball hasn’t been too accurate over the years, but one of the advantages to this position is when it’s all said and done, I should be in a financial position where I can kind of go where I want to go and do what I want to do,” Pursley said. “And if that’s the case, Auburn’s going to be at the top of the list of where I’d like to settle down.”
