U.S. Olympic Committee announces 2012 Coaches of the Year

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Doug Eng (tennis; Medford, Mass.), Tom Franke (Paralympic swimming; Plymouth, Minn.), Adam Krikorian (water polo; Manhattan Beach, Calif.), Michael Nyitray (bowling; Miami, Fla.) and Don Showalter (basketball; Iowa City, Iowa) were selected as the recipients of the 2012 United States Olympic Committee Coach of the Year honors. The winners were recognized at the USOC Coach of the Year Awards Reception, which took place this evening as part of the 2013 National Coaching Conference at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Eng took home the Doc Councilman Science Award, while Nyitray was named Developmental Coach of the Year. Meanwhile, Showalter was awarded Volunteer Coach of the Year, Franke was recognized as the Paralympic National Coach of the Year and Krikorian was named the National Coach of the Year.

"We are honored to recognize the tireless service and achievements of these five coaches, who have dedicated their lives to helping countless athletes reach their highest athletic and personal potential," said Alan Ashley, USOC chief of sport performance.

National Governing Bodies selected their 2012 Coaches of the Year as part of the USOC Coach of the Year Recognition Program. The finalists in each category were chosen by a panel of coaching and sport education professionals.

The awards reception concluded the 2013 National Coaching Conference, held June 19-21. Hosted by the USOC in association with the NCAA, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), the annual conference focuses on enhancing coaching knowledge and disseminating the latest research, trends and innovations in order to develop beginner to elite athletes for optimum performance.

National Coach of the Year - Adam Krikorian

Since taking over the reins of the U.S. Women's National Water Polo Team in March 2009, Krikorian has been nearly perfect, leading the U.S. to a world championship, world cup and Pan American Games title - and most recently, capturing the gold medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games. The historic performance in London marked the program's seventh world title in the last four years and the first Olympic gold for the women's team, which finished the 2012 season with a 34-4-1 record. Additionally, Krikorian added his fourth straight International Swimming Federation (FINA) World League title last summer. For his efforts, he was recognized with the Sandy Nitta Distinguished Women's Coaching Award, which is presented annually in honor of the top-performance by a coach of an elite women's program.

Paralympic National Coach of the Year - Tom Franke

As one of two head swimming coaches for the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Swimming Team, Franke helped direct Team USA to 41 meals - the most of any sport - at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. In addition to serving as co-head coach, Franke also individually coached Team USA's three captains, who all medaled in London. Anna Eames earned silver, Cortney Jordan captured three silvers and one bronze, and Justin Zook won gold and set the world record in the men's 100-meter backstroke (S10 classification). For his incredible impact in London, Franke was awarded six Order of Ikkos medals by Paralympic athletes. He continues to promote Paralympic swimming through by assisting with military camps for injured service members.

Developmental Coach of the Year - Michael Nyitray

Nyitray was selected as a guest coach for the 2012 Tournament of the Americas, where he helped pilot Team USA to 51 medals. Additionally, he led athletes to titles at the 2012 World Youth Championships, Florida State United States Bowling Congress Tournament and Florida High School Athletic Association State Championships. Under his direction, four new high school programs registered with the FHSAA in 2012, helping Broward County High School bowling gain league recognition by the USBC. In addition, he launched a BCHS league website, created the Home School Bowlers junior-level program and organized the annual Broward/Dade High School Bowling Invitational to celebrate top junior bowlers in South Florida. Nyitray also founded the nonprofit U.S. High School Bowling Foundation and volunteered more than 1,000 hours toward the advancement of youth bowling in 2012.This is the second USOC Coach of the Year award for Nyitray, who was also recognized in the developmental category in 2010.

Volunteer Coach of the Year - Don Showalter

In his fourth year at the helm of the USA Basketball Men's Developmental National Team, Showalter led the U.S. to the gold medal on the strength of an 8-0 record at the 2012 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) U17 World Championship. The win marked the fourth gold medal in as many summers for Showalter, who also led the U.S. to an undefeated run for the 2011 FIBA Americas U16 Championship title. For his efforts in 2012, Showalter earned his fourth-straight USA Basketball Developmental Coach of the Year award. One of the nation's most accomplished high school coaches, Showalter completed his 38th season with a 562-294 overall record (.657 winning percentage) and 16 district titles through the 2011-12 campaign. The following season, he took over as head coach at Iowa City High School, where he is currently rebuilding the program.

Doc Counsilman Science Award - Doug Eng

Eng adapted a mental training manual for young athletes, which compliments the training course he created for the Professional Tennis Registry. His curriculum has played a critical role in developing athletes at the grassroots level by making basic performance intervention techniques and sport science more appealing to younger athletes. His work has greatly impacted the U.S. Tennis Association and the PTR. A regular contributor to the U.S. Professional Tennis Association magazine, Eng provides a comprehensive approach to sport science and performance at all levels of competition. His philosophy is rooted in feedback from athletes and coaches, which he applies to improve training techniques and reduce injuries through research and collaboration.

All-Time USOC Coach of the Year Award Recipients

National Coach of the Year

The National Coach of the Year is presented to a coach of an elite-level club, collegiate or national-level team, or the coach of an elite athlete who competes at the highest level of his/her sport.

1996 Tara VanDerveer, U.S. Olympic Women's Basketball Coach

1997 Frank Carroll, Olympic Figure Skating Coach, Coach of Michelle Kwan

1998 Ben Smith, U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Coach

1999 Chris Carmichael, Cycling Coach, Coach of Lance Armstrong

2000 Richard Quick, U.S. Olympic Women's Swimming Coach

2001-02 Pete del'Giudice, U.S. Snowboarding Coach

2003 Lloyd Woodhouse, USA Shooting National Team Coach

2004 Mike Candrea, USA Softball Women's National Team Coach

2005 Eddie Reese, USA Swimming Men's National Team Coach

2006 Bud Keene, U.S. Snowboarding Coach

2007 Guy Baker, USA Water Polo National Team Coach

2008 Hugh McCutcheon, USA Men's Volleyball National Team Coach

2009 Bob Bradley, U.S. Men's National Soccer Team Coach

2010 Brian Shimer, U.S. Men's Bobsled Head Coach

2011 Rick Bower, U.S. Snowboarding Halfpipe Coach

2012 Adam Krikorian, U.S. Women's National Water Polo Team Coach

Paralympic National Coach of the Year

The Paralympic National Coach of the Year is presented to a coach of an elite-level club, collegiate or national-level team, or the coach of an elite athlete who competes at the highest level of his/her sport.

2004 Mike Hulett, USA Women's Sitting Volleyball Team Coach

2005 Randi Smith, U.S. Paralympic Archery Team Head Coach

2006 Julie O'Neill, U.S. Paralympic Swim Team Head Coach

2007 Adam Bleakney, U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Track Coach

2008 Ken Armbruster, U.S. Paralympic Women's Goalball Head Coach

2009 Scott Moore, Denver Judo Coach

2010 Ray Watkins, 2010 U.S. Paralympic Alpine Ski Team

2011 Dave Denniston, U.S. Paralympic Swimming Head Coach

2012 Tom Franke, U.S. Paralympic Swimming Head Coach

Developmental Coach of the Year

The Developmental Coach of the Year is presented to a coach at the youth club, high school or junior level, or a coach who is directly responsible for training athletes to reach the junior and/or elite level.

1996 Jeff Shaffer, University of Southern California

1997 Dianne Holum, Speedskating

1998 Mike Stafford, Millvale Golden Gloves Gym (Cincinnati)

1999 Tom Healy, Northbrook (Ill.) Speedskating Club

2000 Fred Zimny, Luge (Lake Placid, N.Y.)

2001-02 Mike Eaves, U.S. National Under-18 Hockey Team

2003 Bob Fraley, Fresno State (Calif.) University Track & Field

2004 Dwayne Miller, Norfolk (Va.) Real Deal Track Club

2005 Tammy Gambill, U.S. Figure Skating

2006 Mark Mitchell and Peter Johansson, U.S. Figure Skating

2007 Paul Yetter, USA Swimming

2008 Rajul Sheth, Table Tennis (Milpitas, Calif.)

2009 John Wingfield, Director and Head Coach of USA Diving National Training Center

2010 Michael Nyitray, United States Bowling Congress (Miami, Fla.)

2011 James Hrbek, USA Judo

2012 Michael Nyitray, United States Bowling Congress (Miami, Fla.)

Volunteer Coach of the Year

The Volunteer Coach of the Year is presented to a coach who does not receive payment in any form for his/her involvement in coaching at any level.

2003 Carol Hardemon, Metro Dade (Fla.) Track Club

2004 Barry Hunter, Washington, D.C. Boxing Coach

2005 Cindi Hart, IndySpeed Sport Club Head Coach (Speedskating)

2006 Booker Woods, LA JETS Head Coach (Track

2007 Sherman Nelson, USA Taekwondo Coach

2008 Rita Gladstone, Area Tennis League Coordinator (Volusia County, Fla.)

2009 Brian McCutcheon, Taekwondo Coach and Oahu Taekwondo Center Instructor

2010 Dave Farmer, Aurora (Colo.) Saracens Rugby Club Coach

2011 Tom Waga, Brigham Young University Rugby Coach

2012 Don Showalter, USA Basketball Men's Developmental National Team Coach

Doc Counsilman Science Award

The Doc Counsilman Science Award recognizes a coach who utilizes scientific techniques and equipment as an integral part of his/her coaching methods or has created innovative ways to use sport science.

2004 Joe Vigil, USA Track & Field

2005 Dr. Kyle Pierce, USA Weightlifting

2006 Kate Arbour, U.S. Figure Skating

2007 Sean O'Neill, U.S. Paralympics Table Tennis

2008 Dave Bennett, USA Wrestling

2009 Heidi Thibert, U.S. Figure Skating and Edora Pool and Ice Center Coach

2010 Dr. Grant Schaffner, U.S. Bobsled & Skeleton Federation

2011 Neal Henderson, USA Cycling

2012 Doug Eng, U.S. Tennis Association

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