Golden Nuggets, 7/27/20: Big coaching news for the Bears

The California Golden Bears have had their fair share of influential sporting moments over the years, and it should come as no surprise that current Cal women’s basketball coach Charmin Smith was named one of the nation’s most influential people in women’s college basketball.

Silver Waves Media announced their list and you bet Smith was featured. She’s helped build a renown team and one of the premier West Coast programs in her tenure so far, leading Cal to 10 20-win seasons and nine different trips to the NCAA Tournament. She was one of three Pac-12 coaches to be placed on the list.

And in other, more world famous Cal coaching news, current Cal head coach David Durden was reconfirmed by the United States Olympic Committee to be the United States Olympic Men’s Swimming Team’s head coach for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, now set for next summer in July, 2021.

USA Swimming National Team Managing Director Lindsay Mintenko announced last week that Dudren will be joined by the same coaching staff in Greg Meehan and Catherine Kase as were planned for this summer’s games.

“These three incredible coaches remain committed now more than ever to leading our team to great success in Tokyo in 2021,” Mintenko said. “While we respect and understand the concern and uncertainty that continues to be felt around the world, together we chose to remain positive and to set our sights on readying a strong team for the Games. Dave, Greg and Catherine’s experienced leadership will be invaluable as we navigate these very unique and unprecedented circumstances.”

Durden has plenty of experience with the USA Swimming team and he coached them at the 2015 and 2017 FINA World Championships as well as assistant coaching duties in 2011 and 2010. He’s had six Cal swimmers earn 11 Olympic medals in his time, including eight golds at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He’s also won four NCAA team titles in his tenure at Cal.

More news on the Olympic teams will be announced at a later date, but here’s your Cal news roundup in the meantime:

Durden reconfirmed for Tokyo Olympics

Smith named one of 100 most influential people in college women’s basketball

Nine Bears secure ACWPC All-Academic Awards

Women’s Volleyball earns team academic award

Men’s swimming sees 18 Bears named Scholar All-Americans

Cal falls to No. 5 in football recruiting rankings