Ableman Named ACC Men's Coach of the Year
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The University of Miami diving program pulled in two major awards Monday, as Sam Dorman captured ACC Men’s Diver of the Year honors and head coach Randy Ableman was named ACC Men’s Diving Coach of the Year.
In his 23rd season at the helm of the illustrious University of Miami diving program, Ableman was once again recognized for leading his group of divers to standout seasons.
Ableman guided freshman Briadam Herrera to two gold medals in his first trip to the 2015 ACC Championships in Greensboro, N.C., and All-America recognition in the 1-meter event in his career-first NCAA Championships appearance.
Herrera, who set a Christiansburg Aquatic Center pool record in Blacksburg, Va., towards the end of his first season, earned top honors in both the 1-meter and 3-meter at the ACC Championships.
“Randy gives everything his best – he gives it his all,” Dorman said. “He has done everything for the team. He puts everybody in front of him. For him to get this is definitely well-deserved.”
With the addition of Dorman’s successful run in the 3-meter at the NCAA Championships, Ableman has guided 13 different divers to a total of 25 national championships since arriving to the University of Miami in 1989.
Dorman won his first national championship in the same pool Ableman won his as an undergraduate at the University of Iowa in 1981.
“He developed me not only as a diver, but as a person,” Dorman said. “He has taught me so many life skills, people skills, not just diving. That’s part of it, but he’s not just a coach – he’s a father figure.”
A nine-time NCAA Diving Coach of the Year, Ableman also was named ACC Women’s Diving Coach of the Year in 2013.
“Words can’t describe how much he means to me and to our team. Without him, I would not be the person I am today,” Dorman said.
To read the full release from the ACC, click HERE.
A full list of the 10 individuals honored by the ACC is below:
Men’s Swimmer of the Year – Simonas Bilis, NC State
Men’s Diver of the Year – Samuel Dorman, Miami
Men’s Freshman of the Year – Anton Ipsen, NC State
Men’s Swimming Coach of the Year – Braden Holloway, NC State
Men’s Diving Coach of the Year – Randy Ableman, Miami
Women’s Swimmer of the Year – Kelsi Worrell, Louisville
Women’s Diver of the Year – Kaylea Arnett, Virginia Tech
Women’s Freshman of the Year – Jennifer Marrkand, Virginia
Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year – Augie Busch, Virginia
Women’s Diving Coach of the Year – Ron Piemonte, Virginia Tech
