Coach Tim O’Brien Added to USA Swimming’s List of Banned Coaches

Coach Tim O'Brien Banned by USA Swimming

On March 7, 2016, swimming coach Tim O’Brien—the 2015 USA Swimming Developmental Coach of the Year—was added to USA Swimming’s list of banned coaches.

USA Swimming is the National Governing Body for the sport of swimming in the United States, and its member swim clubs train future American Olympians. The organization added coach Tim O’Brien to its list of “Individuals Suspended or Ineligible Permanently” after it came to light that he had violated two sections of USA Swimming’s code of conduct:

304.3.5 Any sexual contact or advance or other inappropriate sexually oriented behavior or action directed towards an athlete by a coach, official, trainer, or other person who, in the context of swimming, is in a position of authority over that athlete.

304.3.5 Any inappropriate sexually oriented behavior or action directed towards a member by any other adult participating in any capacity whatsoever in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming or its LSCs (whether such adult is a member or not). Any nonconsensual physical sexual conduct, or pattern of unwelcome advances or other sexual harassment in connection with or incidental to a USA Swimming-related activity by any person participating in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming or its LSCs (whether such person is a member or not) directed toward any member or other person participating in the affairs or activities of USA Swimming or its LSCs. (effective September 27, 2008)

The news of coach Tim O’Brien’s banning comes just two days after he was officially released from his position as head coach with the Nitro Swimming club of Cedar Park, Texas.

Thanks to the efforts of sex abuse victims’ rights attorney Robert Allard, coach Tim O’Brien is just one of numerous swim coaches belonging to USA Swimming’s swim clubs who have been permanently banned from coaching. The long list of prominent coaches banned due to Mr. Allard's efforts include Rick Curl and Mitch Ivey.