Question and Answer with Diving Head Coach John Narcy
1/29/2002 12:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving
Jan. 29, 2002
For 36 years, the Michigan State diving team has been coached by John Narcy. But next year the program will have a different tone, for Narcy has announced that the 2002 season will be his last. One of the most respected and experienced coaches in the country, Narcy has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year four times and National Coach of the Year in 1990. In a recent interview, Narcy talked about his retirement at the end of the season and looked back on his career at Michigan State.
This is your last year here at Michigan State. What's your overall feeling about retiring?
"Well, I think it's about time I moved on. It's been great and I've had fun. For 36 years I've been a coach and one as a graduate assistant, so it's really been 37 years. We've had some good times and some down times. But I'm ready to move on."
Does the last home meet this Saturday (Feb. 3) mean anything more to you now?
"I haven't even thought of this as my last meet. It just hasn't struck me. We still have the Big Ten Championships to go, even though this is my last home meet. Working with Carly Weiden (2001 Big Ten Diver of the Year) has been awesome, and this is her last year. So we'll both be moving on, and hopefully we can end with a great performance. This year will definitely be the last in my diving career."
What did it mean to you to receive the Fred A. Cady lifetime achievement award this past summer?
"It's a real important and heartfelt award. It means my peers have recognized me at the NCAA level, the national level and the Olympic level. It's nice to have your achievements recognized. It was just fantastic."
Looking back, what are some of the highlights for you at Michigan State?
"We've been successful. I first began coaching here before we even had a women's program. Even though we had some down years, the men and women have been successful. The swim coaches have let me run my own show. They all supported me and I've had my hands free to do what I wanted to do. Most people don't know I'm not a full-time coach. About 40 percent of the time I help with the Kinesiology department. But I've always coached with a 110 percent effort. I've gotten a lot out of coaching. It's made me feel like somebody. It feels good to know that I can bring kids here, change them, and make them better. I've probably made some mistake along the way, but hopefully I've influenced them not only as athletes but also as people."
What does it mean for you to be honored at halftime of the Michigan - Michigan State men's basketball game Jan. 30?
"I'm really grateful. It's going to be tremendous to be in front of everyone and have that honor so everyone will know about my retirement. I thought I was just going to slide out, but they're going to do something, and I think it's terrific."