Coach Spotlight Volume 2 Issue 1 August-September 2022

Coach Spotlight: Drew Brewer

Interview by Caitlyn Harper

Photo by Caitlyn Harper

• Why did you want to become a coach? 

I love the sport of swimming, and there are so many life lessons that can be taken from sports. I like being in the business of making better people.

• Can you describe what a typical practice looks like for your teams? 

Once the swimmers get in the water, I call out what our warmup will be, which is typically somewhere between 200 & 600 yards. Then I usually split them into practice groups by what their specialties are(backstroke, butterfly, distance, sprint, etc.). Our practices usually consist of a little over 2,000 yards of swimming. Anything less than a mile (1,650 yards) is an easy practice.

• What are your core values as a coach? 

Let your athletes celebrate their successes, but never let them settle. Your favorite championship should always be your next one.

• How do you view the relationship between academics and athletics? 

Student-athlete means student comes first. If a student can't do what they are supposed to do in the classroom, they have no business representing the school on a team.

• How do you develop community support for the team? 

A positive social media presence is helpful; also, networking with parents and other coaches.

• What approach do you take when your team is struggling? 

Mix things up or break up the training regimen with something fun.

• Describe what your bench area looks like during games. 

Unless you are resting immediately after your race, it's expected that you are up and cheering for your teammates who are in the water.

• What are your off-season expectations? 

We take about a month and a half off right after the season ends, but then we are back in the pool training. It is expected that unless you are playing another sport, that you participate in off-season training.

• How do you handle criticism? 

As long as it's positive I can take it, but don't bring me a problem without a solution.

• How do you handle parents who have concerns about their child's playing time?

It's not something I have to deal with very often, because everything we do is based on times. If someone has a spot and you don't, it's because they are faster. The clock doesn't lie.

• Explain the importance of discipline in coaching. 

Without discipline you can't build a winning routine, and without that you can't build trust. Walls and a roof are no good without a foundation.

• What factor is important for a player to develop or cultivate other than athletic ability? Why?

Willingness to learn and be "coachable". You can't train someone who thinks they know it all.

• Tell us about the coaches that have a tremendous influence in your life. 

My first swim coach, who is still coaching by the way, taught me the importance of being able to motivate athletes and leave no doubt that, as coach, you are solely responsible for everything that concerns your team. He is a "The buck stops here." type of coach, and that is the way I like to run my program as well.

• How would your team describe you as a coach? 

I hope it would be in a positive way, but I imagine they would describe me as caring, dedicated, and as someone with high expectations. They might also say I like to be in control of everything...which is fair.