Dr. Josh White recently concluded his fifth season on the Michigan coaching staff, serving the last year as associate head coach for the men's program. The previous four years (2009-12), White was the assistant head coach for the men's team.
Recognized as one of the finest distance coaches in the country, several of White's swimmers have gone on to represent Michigan and the United States at the international level: Connor Jaeger at the 2012 U.S. Summer Olympics in London, Ryan Feeley at the 2012 FINA Short Course World Championships in Istanbul and Sean Ryan at the 2013 World University Games in Kazan, Russia. All three swimmers were NCAA All-Americans in the 1,650-yard freestyle at the 2013 NCAA Championships, with Jaeger being named Big Ten Men's Swimmer of the Year after winning national championships in both the 500-yard freestyle and 1,650-yard freestyle.
White was key in helping Michigan win its 12th NCAA Championship and 37th Big Ten Championship in 2013. His swimmers held four of the top nine spots in the 1,650-yard freestyle and five of the top 16 spots in the 500-yard freestyle at the NCAA Championships. At the Big Ten Championships, Michigan placed 1-2-3-4 in the 1,650-yard freestyle, 1-3-4-6-9 in the 500-yard freestyle and 1-2-3-4-6 in the 200-yard freestyle.
Beyond the NCAA, Michigan distance swimmers have achieved great international success. White coached four of the top nine milers at the 2012 US Olympic Trials including Jaeger, who earned a spot on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team and took sixth in the 1,500-meter freestyle in London. The Michigan and Club Wolverine contingent also placed three swimmers in the final of the 400-meter freestyle at the 2012 Trials including former Wolverine Matt Patton. Feeley was the highest placing NCAA athlete in this event finishing fifth. At the 2012 Olympic Games, White served as the head swimming coach for Barbados, coaching former University of Florida standout Bradley Ally in the 100-meter backstroke, and the 200- and 400-meter individual medleys.
Athletes coached by Dr. White have also had great success in Open Water competition. He was the head open water coach for the United States at the 2011 World University Games, and was named an assistant coach for Team USA at the 2012 FINA Short Course World Championships. White has coached athletes at each of the last three World Championships including every distance from the 5-25k. Sean Ryan is a multiple US National Team selection and a world champion in the 5k team race from the 2011 World Championships. Former U-M star Emily Brunemann, the 2008 NCAA champion in the 1,650-yard freestyle, was coached by White in 2009 when she won the 10k at the US National Championships and in 2010 when she placed third at the Pan-Pacific Championships. Additionally, White coached Open Water National Team members Ryan Feeley and Emily Hanson.
Prior to his arrival in Ann Arbor, White was head coach of the men's and women's swimming teams at Division-III Pomona-Pitzer (Claremont, Calif.) from 2006-08.
In 2006, White attained his Ph.D. in human performance from Indiana University, studying in the Counsilman Center for the Science of Swimming. His graduate research focused on the power generated during swimming and swimming power training.
While pursuing his Ph.D. at IU, White spent three years as a volunteer assistant coach with the Hoosier men's swimming team. Additionally, White coached at Bloomington South (Ind.) High School and has club team experience with The Indiana Swim Team and Bloomington Swim Club.
