Greg Werner, who is in his 10th year as the Ohio swimming and diving coach, is busy preparing his team for the Mid-American Conference championships. He took some time to sit down with The Post's Julie Goldberg to talk about his international coaching experiences, his childhood, and who he thinks will win the Super Bowl.
The Post: What was your dream job when you were growing up?
Werner: It's been a long time since I was a kid. I don't know to tell you the truth.
The Post: Did you ever have any intentions of coaching?
Werner: I swam four years in college, and in the fifth year I started coaching. That's when I realized that I liked coaching. Previous to that, when I was in college, I wanted to use my degree -which was hotel restaurant tourism management -and I wanted to own a restaurant/bar because I love to cook, and more than I like to cook, I like to eat, but I didn't have the resources to own my own place. I knew I didn't want to work for a corporation, and I really enjoyed coaching, so I decided to stick with coaching and have stayed in it ever since.
The Post: Since you started coaching, you have had the opportunity to travel the world as part of numerous USA Swimming national coaching staffs. Are there any trips that stand out in your mind or any places that have been your favorite?
Werner: I've liked them all, even the ones that have been here in the states. They all are memorable and have all had an impact on me. I would say my first international trip, which was to Argentina, stood out the most. I can remember little things, like when they would pave the roads how cars would be driving right behind the trucks and would put ruts in the road. Also, while we were walking down the sidewalks in Mar del Plata, I remember how they were uprooted and chipped.
The Post: You were a coach at the 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia. What was it like being at a swim meet there with swimming being such a popular sport in Australia?
Werner: It was something else. I realized this when I got there, and there were pictures of swimmers on billboards and on the side of buses driving by and on the side of buildings. I went to Target, and I go in, and I have my credentials on, and I was wearing some USA Swimming stuff and the lady at the cash register said, 'You're here for the (Goodwill) Games,' and I said, 'Yeah.' She asked if it was for swimming, and then she said, 'We're (the Australian team) going to kill you.' She knew that in three days, we had a competition against the Australians.
They were a hostile crowd, but then as soon as the meet was over, they wanted to hang out with you and be your buddy. They wanted to talk to you and see your apparel and trade pins with you. They are a very passionate country towards their sport, especially swimming.
The Post: What is your favorite music?
Werner: I like everything, mostly music from the '70s. These guys (the Ohio swimmers) keep me up to date on the latest music also.
The Post: What about your favorite movies?
Werner: I love Alfred Hitchcock. I really wish that I lived in the '50s. I think his films are very intelligent; they are very glamorous as well, especially for that era.
The Post: And finally, who is your pick to win the Super Bowl?
Werner: My heart says the Eagles. My head says the Patriots. They (the Patriots) get the job done. I think they know what to do and how to do it. But I like both teams. I could go either way. I will probably be one of those fans who will be rooting for the Eagles in the first quarter, then rooting for Patriots in the second quarter. At that point, if it could go down to overtime, that would be fantastic.
17 Archives
Julie Goldberg
