200 and counting: DeHaan, White hit significant milestone
brian questel
February 2, 2012
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Promo: Wooster High swim coaches reach personal milestone with 200th career win
200 and counting: DeHaan, White hit significant milestone
By Brian Questel
When Jeff DeHaan came to Wooster in 1997, he wasnt thinking about records or longevity. All he wanted to do was get his first swim team into the water.
Now that the numbers are piling up, though, hes not ignoring them.
The Generals capped a 14-3 campaign Tuesday night with a 110-73 victory over visiting Copley in Woosters Ellen Shapiro Natatorium, making that win No. 502 in the schools history and No. 200 for DeHaan and assistant Paul White.
I think I planned on being around this long, but I didnt think about how long it would take to get that many wins or keep track, said DeHaan. Im an avid record keeper. Thats part of my being. I was aware of the record and team record and its fun to get it in the same season like we got 400 and 100.
I didnt know how quickly it would take to get (to 200), but it gets back to the fact weve had a heck of a lot of talent in 15 years and 83 (years of the program). When you have talent like that it comes a little easier. There have been a lot of hard wins, but when youve had talent like weve had, it makes Paul and me look good. They are the ones busting it.
That has been the case much of the past 15 years. Other than a 6-6 record in their second year, Wooster has posted winning records in every season.
We were .500 that second year in 1999, said DeHaan. Other than that, weve had four losses three times, but never more than that. Its pretty amazing to think of putting all those wins together in that short a period. Weve been blessed with a lot of talent stroke-wise and well-rounded teams. Weve had some unique teams with a lot of top end and not much middle and other years weve had a deep middle. We thought this year we would have a big middle, but weve had a lot of guys rise to an elite level. Thats what makes this team so tough.
A lot of naysayers thought wed be down and look at what weve accomplished despite the losses from last years class – 14-3, NEAC Relays champions, OCC champions and second in the NEAC (Championships) by only 30 points. Its amazing what weve accomplished with such a young team.
Its definitely a milestone for the program, said White. Its a tribute to the talented boys weve had in the past, the Joe Silvistris and the Rick Wades and the list goes on and on. Over the course of time it doesnt matter whether its a superstar or a first-year swimmer – you want to take them from where they are and help take them to a better place, being a better person. Its not just about winning but improving. Its great to have the won-loss record, but its very individualistic. Its about taking kids and moving them forward.
In part, the key to that is having both coaches on the same page.
We were (already) pretty close in philosophy (15 years ago), but I think a lot is communication, said White. We dont divide the tasks. Its looking at the swimmers at the same time and figuring ways to improve each swimmer over the course of a season and the course of years. Ill see something in practice Jeff doesnt see and hell see things that I dont see and thats a benefit. We dont divide the morning or evening practices -- were both there. We go to a lot of practices together.
As an assistant coach its my job to help implement the head coachs philosophy. By the same token, if were doing something real well I comment on that; if its something we need to improve on Ill comment on that. Its not one or the other.
After 15 years together, neither is looking to go out any time soon.
It doesnt seem that long a time, said White. I started coaching when my youngest son was born in that first season. Both of my children swam and its been interesting seeing them grow and develop. Both have been on the team.
Jeff and I are looking forward to continue coaching, he added. At this time of the season you get run down; youre tired from getting up early every day and trying to keep up at school. Weve had a very good run and Im looking forward to a few more seasons.
Wooster heads into the postseason with sectional diving taking place at 6 p.m. at the University of Akron on Thursday (Feb. 9) and the swimming at 8:15 Friday morning. The girls will dive on Wednesday at 6 p.m., with swimming taking place Saturday at 1:15 p.m.
