VFL Michael Wright Named Volunteer Assistant Diving Coach

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No stranger to the Tennessee diving program, Michael Wright rejoined the UT staff as a volunteer assistant diving coach ahead of the 2021-22 season, diving coach Dave Parrington announced Tuesday.

"Mike brings the attitude of being a winner," said Parrington. "Just his accolades while competing for us are extremely important to what we are trying to do. He brings a lot of experience, having coached at the national, collegiate and high school levels. He is a winner and fits with our program."

An SEC champion and All-American performer for the Vols (2009-11), Wright is one of the top divers in program history. As a senior team captain in 2011, his 1-meter springboard score of 416.85 during the SEC Championships clinched him the title and set the program record at the time. He became the first African-American to ever win a title at the USA Diving Winter National Championships in 2010.

Prior to Tennessee, Wright helped Indian River State College to back-to-back NJCAA Championships by sweeping the one- and three-meter events in 2007 and 2008. He was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame in 2015.

"Mike stands for everything we embrace and aspire to be as Tennessee swimmers and divers, and we're incredibly fortunate to bring him on board," said director of swimming and diving Matt Kredich. "Mike has been not only an outstanding coach in the Knoxville community but also a role model for many in the diving community nationally. The Parrington-Wright combination makes this staff one of the best in the world."

After capping his competitive career as a finalist during the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2012, Wright rejoined the Volunteers diving staff as a volunteer assistant for three seasons (2013-16). During his first stint, he helped coach a pair of All-Americans in NCAA champion Liam Stone and three-time SEC champion Mauricio Robles.

Wright has served as the head coach of the Tennessee Aquatics diving club since 2014, coaching athletes to the USA Junior National Team and to a combined nine USA National Titles. His efforts earned him the opportunity to coach the Junior Pan American Team, which featured divers winning two gold medals as well as a silver and bronze medal during the 2017 and 2019 games.

The six-time Tennessee High School Diving Coach of the Year guided athletes to state championships every year from 2016 until 2021. All 12 of the graduating senior divers that Wright coached went on to sign National Letters of Intent with college programs.

"I am very excited to be back on staff this season," said Wright. "I'm looking forward to bringing my experiences as an athlete and coach to the current student athletes."

Truly a gifted athlete, Wright has become well-known outside of the diving world as the "Speedo Ninja" on American Ninja Warrior, competing in five of the seasons. He advanced to the National Vegas Finals during season 10.

Wright earned his bachelor's degree in Fine Arts in 2011 and then completed his master's degree in Sports Psychology in 2013. He and his wife, Hali, have two kids: Kylee and Camden.

University of Tennessee Athletics

VFL Michael Wright Named Volunteer Assistant Diving Coach

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