Profiling Michael Collins

by Author Unknown

July 19, 2000

Coach, swimmer and triathlete in SoCal

Michael Collins joined the UCLA Bruin Masters swimming staff in October 1997. He was excited to return to his roots in Southern California to coach and train.

Coaching Achievement and Involvement:  Bruin Masters Swimming (UCLA) co-coach with Gerry Rodrigues at one of the best run programs in the nation. Helped the team win the SPMA Short Course Meters championships in 1996 and 1997.

Collins also serves as a Senior Clinic Instructor for Total Immersion Swim Camps (TI). Has worked closely with Total Immersion founder Terry Laughlin, and the other Total Immersion coaches to develop the best school for learning to swim efficiently.

He served as a coach for the first two USMS High Altitude Camps at the Olympic Training Center in Colordo Springs (1999), and will be the head coach of the USMS delegation at the 2000 World Championships in Munich.

His strengths and specialties include:

Teaching stroke technique through the use of underwater video equipment.
Teaching inexperienced swimmers more efficiency.
Teaching race strategy and pacing for racing in pools and open water.
Motivating swimmers of all abilities to perform to their potential.
Triathlon race preparation.
Communication with swimmers through the use of the internet

In addition to coaching Masters, Collins was an assistant coach at the University of California Davis men's team from 1990 to 1994. In his first year UC Davis placed fifth at the Division II NCAA's. In 1992 the team to move up to fourth place. In 1993 Davis qualified a record 18 swimmers for nationals, and moved up to third.

Collins headed the men's swimming team at American River College in Sacramento from 1995 to 1997. In his first year, 1995, the team won the conference championship for the first time in 12 years, qualified five swimmers for the state championships and broke two school relay records. Collins was named the Bay Valley Conference Coach of the Year for the accomplishments. In 1996 the team repeated as conference champions.

Other Activities and Interests: In addition to coaching, Collins is the Merchandise Manager for Sports Publications, Inc. (Swimming World, Swimming Technique, and SWIM magazine). Collins is a well known writer on the subject of swimming. His articles have appeared in TRIATHLETE magazine, SWIM magazine, American Swimming, and many other national publications. In addition, he has written a book entitled “A DAM Good Year.” It contains the workouts his team did for an entire year, as well as his philosophy of swimming and coaching for Masters.

Collins competes as a highly competitive triathlete specializing in sprint distance races. In 1998 he was the overall champion at the Hermosa Beach Triathlon and Catalina Triathlon. In 1999 he won all three of the Day at the Beach Triathlon Series (Huntington, Malibu, and Hermosa), and repeated as champion at Catalina. He also competes in open water swimming races, road and mountain cycling, and running events.