Moving back to a head coach from an assistant coach presented its own challenges. When you are the head coach you are setting the tone. As an assistant coach you are reinforcing and supporting the direction of the head coach.

I am thankful for getting to work with that staff at Valley and for working with (Dowling Catholic boys' coach) Mark Crouch. I certainly wanted to get back as a head coach. I had to wait for the right situation to open and this was it.

I have to pay attention to every swimmer. Every swimmer is important. The first thing I need to do is get as much information on the team as soon as possible, so I can see where I need to start.

I'm very excited for the opportunity. Dowling has a tradition of athletics and swimming is no exception. I hope to sustain that momentum.

My fiance likes drawing on napkins, which I save. I'm always scared I'll get caught taking a linen napkin from a restaurant!

Anything that is profoundly energy-shifting - like having a child - is fodder for creative thought. So for me, I welcome it and look straight into it as something to learn from.