Inaspect Virginia: Todd DeSorbo On Coaching Douglass, Walsh And Swimming’s Quickest Ladies

In this GMM takeover of the SwimSwam podcast now we have Virginia Head Coach Todd DeSorbo.

DeSorbo sits on the middle of essentially the most highly effective ladies’s coaching group in swimming, led by Gretchen Walsh and Kate Douglass. We’ve already gone deep with each ladies. See Douglass’ podcast right here, and Walsh’s right here. In this dialog, DeSorbo helps swim followers fill within the gaps, getting granular on coaching, tapering, and extra coach-led particulars.

We begin with Douglass’ exceptional 2026 development within the 50 free, going from 24.21 on the Fort Lauderdale Open to 23.59 on the Indy Pro Swim and finally 23.19 on the Pan Pacific Championships. DeSorbo breaks down what modified in coaching, why her 50 free velocity appeared earlier than the identical breakthrough got here within the 100 free, and what occurred between Indy and Pan Pacs to unlock one other degree.

DeSorbo doesn’t disappoint, including extra coaching context, delivering an fascinating podcast Easter egg for swim nerds. DeSorbo coached Cam McEvoy’s present coach, Tim Lane, at UNC Wilmington. They stay associates, sharing information and coaching insights. DeSorbo even shares a Lane-McEvoy drill he deployed this 12 months, and goes so far as saying he thinks it impacted Douglass’ 50 free development.

From there, we get into one of many strangest coaching puzzles in swimming: How do you put together the quickest 50 freestyler in historical past to even be probably the greatest 200 breaststrokers on the planet? DeSorbo explains how Douglass and Walsh prepare collectively, the place their applications separate, how he manages depth, and the way a lot individualization is required when two elite swimmers have very totally different strengths and physiological calls for.

We additionally dig into Virginia’s more and more stacked ladies’s group. How does DeSorbo resolve who will get in? Is it fully the coaches’ name? Do present athletes have enter? And past uncooked velocity, what qualities matter whenever you’re including somebody to a gaggle the place virtually each lane incorporates a world medal risk?

Finally, we discuss occasion choice. With Douglass able to contending throughout freestyle, breaststroke, IM and fly, how a lot management does the swimmer have over what she races? Does DeSorbo steer athletes towards the occasions that supply the very best medal alternatives, or is his job merely to assist them develop into nice on the occasions they wish to swim?

We cowl all the above and far more. This is a deep dive into the teaching choices behind one of many quickest coaching environments within the sport.

If we missed any questions, drop them within the feedback and we’ll ask DeSorbo again for a follow-up.

Follow Todd DeSorbo on Instagram here. 

Follow Gold Medal Mel on Instagram here.

Many due to Swimoutlet.com for his or her 15 12 months partnership and assist of this swimming information and media.

SEE RECENT GMM PODCASTS:

This is a Gold Medal Media manufacturing introduced by SwimOutlet.com. Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and the co-founder of SwimSwam.com, a Swimming News web site.

Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed company don’t essentially mirror the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam promoting companions.