THE SIDELINES : Indiana Swim Coach to Retire

James (Doc) Counsilman has decided to retire after 33 years as Indiana’s swim coach, the university announced today.

Counsilman, who guided Indiana to 23 Big Ten and six consecutive NCAA championships, will retire at the end of the school year.

Proteges of Counsilman set or tied 14 world records. The list includes Mark Spitz, who won seven gold medals in the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Counsilman began coaching at Indiana in 1957. In 1961, the Hoosiers captured the first of 20 consecutive Big Ten titles. In 1968, Indiana began a string of six consecutive national titles.

Counsilman coached the U.S. Olympic men’s team in 1964 when it won nine of 11 gold medals with the other two firsts captured by Australian swimmers who attended Indiana. He also coached the men’s Olympic squad in 1976 when it won 12 of 13 gold medals while setting 18 world records.