IU Swimming and Diving Associate Head Coach Mike Westphal Fired

(BLOOMINGTON) – Indiana University Swimming and Diving Associate Head Coach Mike Westphal was fired Thursday, according to an IU Athletics press release.

Mike Westphal

According to the press release, Westphal was fired due to information in a probable cause affidavit from Bloomington Police Department.

Westphal is facing a misdemeanor intimidation charge after making alleged threats against another swimming coach.

According to police, 46-year-old Westphal, of Unionville, who sits on the board of directors for the Indiana Swim Club (ISC), arranged a meeting at a local restaurant with the victim on April 12, 2019. The victim coaches another swim club in Bloomington.

Police say Westphal was the other man’s coach when he was a student, and wanted the two swim clubs to merge.

According to court documents, Westphal requested that the other man encourage parents and the board of directors of Btown Aquatics to merge with ISC, claiming it would “result in better-shared pool times and financial gain for Westphal’s interests.”

Westphal said the existence of two swim clubs in Bloomington was “an attack on his family.” Westphal also claimed to be “ruthless” and would “squash” the other coach.

Documents also show that Westphal brought up a previous incident involving the alleged victim and another coach, claiming Westphal would turn him in, resulting in a discipline that would “drastically affect” his life.

Westphal later said that he is “more powerful in the swimming community” than the other coach and implied he had control over the other man’s coaching career.

The victim recorded the conversation between him and Westphal and provided it to police. He told police he was afraid of Westphal’s intentions and felt that he was being threatened. Police requested a warrant for Westphal’s arrested on August 30th and that warrant was granted.

Westphal admitted to being at the meeting. He was arrested and posted a $500 cash bond and was released from jail. He has hired Bloomington Attorney Sam Shapiro to represent him and is scheduled for a pretrial conference on Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. in Monroe Circuit Court 9.

At the time of his arrest Indiana University Athletics released a statement regarding the charge against Westphal:

“Indiana University Athletics has been made aware of the incident involving Indiana University associate head swimming coach Mike Westphal. IU Athletics will continue to gather facts and take further action as it deems appropriate.”