The renowned former head coach of the Michigan men’s swimming and diving team for more than 20 years (1982–2004), Jon Urbanchek, passed away in California on Thursday. He was eighty-seven.

Urbanchek’s greatest accomplishment in Ann Arbor was coaching the University of Michigan to the NCAA championship in 1995. The team won six of the 13 individual titles and one relay.

However, Urbanchek was also renowned for his incredible consistency, winning 13 Big Ten titles in 22 seasons, including 10 consecutive league titles from 1986 to 1995.

He assisted in the production of 35 individual NCAA champions, and his teams finished 163-34 overall in dual meetings and an almost unbeatable 100-4 versus Big Ten opponents.

According to a statement from U-M athletic director Warde Manuel, “Jon Urbanchek’s name is synonymous with extraordinary accomplishments and coaching innovation in the sport of swimming, but his positive human impact on the lives of so many is his true legacy.”

“His story speaks to people of all backgrounds — from coming to the United States as an immigrant to finding success and reaching the pinnacle of professional and personal life through his work and amazing family.”

The swimming community expressed its condolences on Friday, with some even going so far as to quote 15-time national champion Texas coach Eddie Reese: “The only thing you take with you when you die is that which you gave to others.”

Lea Maurer, a former Olympic gold medallist and coach at USC, said of Jon, “He changed our sport and he supported wake-up swims that were longer than 500 meters. He takes much with him.”

Considered by many as one of the shepherds of American competitive swimming, Urbanchek not only won the 1995 NCAA Coach of the Year title and eight Big Ten Coach of the Year nominations, but he also coached the American Olympic team for five straight Games (1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004) and was named special coach for the following two Games (2008, 2012).

In addition, he served as a coach for several U.S. international teams, Pan American Games, and World Championship teams.

“Words cannot describe the depth of my feelings for Jon Urbanchek since I first met him in 2012,” remarked three-time Olympian, seven-time gold medallist, and 21-time world champion Katie Ledecky.

“He has been a coach, mentor, and friend to me ever since he was my coach on the Olympic team in 2012.” I took so much away from him. He was a caring and committed coach who never lost sight of his athletes.

“His passion for Team USA, his coaching style, his humor, and his devotion to our sport are qualities I will always cherish. He coached other coaches. I am certain that he taught my coaches a valuable lesson. I consider myself really fortunate to have had him on my team. He never ceased giving me advice and support.”

Urbanchek guided 44 Olympians to 21 medals in all, including 11 gold, 6 silver, and 4 bronze. Ten of the Olympians he coached in Ann Arbor, who totaled seventeen medals, were among the twenty-six who came through his program.

Among his coaching accomplishments are four world records.

Current U-M men’s and women’s swim and dive coach Matt Bowe stated in a statement, “People come into our lives for a moment, a day, or a lifetime; it matters not the time they spent with you but how they impacted your life in that time.” “Urby had a direct and beneficial influence on the lives of others.

He was always willing to donate his time to assist people learn or become better versions of themselves, and he had a mischievous sense of humor.

Urby’s coaching career at Michigan and with Team USA was among the most prestigious in the past. He was a pioneer in our sport, and a lot of trainers still classify aerobic and anaerobic training intensities using the Urbanchek color scheme today.

“I will personally miss Jon a great deal. His enthusiasm for Michigan and his support of me as the new head coach have been motivating. Although Michigan lost an icon, his legacy will live on in our dedication to Michigan Swimming & Diving’s future. Go Blue, and as Jon would say, “Keep it moving” and always.”