University of Tennessee Athletics
Joe Hendee
June 27, 2000 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Joe Hendee is a true Volunteer, a Tennessee native, a UT graduate, and now coaching in his sixteenth season at the University of Tennessee. Hendee brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his position, making him one of the top assistants in country.
Hendee, who has served under such greats as former UT head coach Ray Bussard and now Trembley, became UT's first paid assistant coach when he was hired in 1985. His tenure has been marked by one of the most successful stints in the history of the program, as Tennessee boasts a 140-12 dual-meet record, a pair of conference titles and 11 top-10 NCAA finishes during his time in Knoxville. In the last 10 years, UT has had 13 NCAA gold medals, three Olympic gold medalists and numerous All-America performers.
Hendee's duties include coaching on deck and in the Vols' dry land program. He coordinates UT's recruiting efforts, team scheduling and travel arrangements. He supervises the support staff and serves as liaison with the AquaVols. His knowledge of the university, pride in the Tennessee swimming tradition, and loyalty to both the university and swimming and diving team make Hendee an invaluable resource.
While at Tennessee, Hendee has had the opportunity to assist at various international and national events. His first USS staffing came at the U.S. Swimming Elite Training Camp held in Chapel Hill in 1986. He served on the coaching staff of the 1989 Olympic Festival at Oklahoma City, Okla., which featured two Vol swimmers, and at the 1993 Olympic Festival in San Antonio, Texas. In 1994, Hendee traveled to Paris as a member of the staff of the National Junior team and also served in Colorado Springs for the National Junior Team camps in 1997 and 1999. In 1996, while preparing Jeremy Linn and Ricky Busquets for the summer Olympics in Atlanta, Hendee took on the role of facilities coordinator when the U.S. Olympic swim team held training camp at the Student Aquatic Center.
Hendee also coaches the USS team Tennessee Aquatics and previously served as assistant to UT Gatorade South and Pilot Aquatic Club of Knoxville. He has coached at Ray Bussard's clinics, United Swimming Clinics and the 1996 Select Camp in Colorado Springs. He has also led Knoxville Raquet Club to eight of the last nine Knoxville area City Championships.
Hendee came to the UT from Chattanooga, where he attended Notre Dame High School. As an undergraduate, he served as Facilities Coordinator for the Russian-American dual-meet held in Knoxville in conjunction with the World's Fair. Hendee then began graduate school to assist 1984 Olympic Coach Ray Bussard with the team through the completion of his Olympic responsibilities. After working in private business for a year, Bussard hired Hendee as his first assistant coach.
He and his wife Shelli have two daughters, Claire and Caroline. The Hendees attend Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Hendee is the reigning team champion in paddleball, backgammon and Acquire.
Hendee's E-mail: jhendee@utk.edu
The Hendee File
BORN: July 17, 1960 at Chattanooga, Tennessee
HIGH SCHOOL: Notre Dame Academy, Chattanooga, Tennessee
COLLEGE: University of Tennessee 1983
COACHING CAREER: University of Tennessee (1985-Present)
