Swim coach to move on

On paper, it might look like a step down, moving from a Big Ten rising power to a tiny Division III college in Kenosha, Wisc. But for Greg Earhart, it's the opportunity he's been waiting for. \nAfter some sleepless nights and a long talk with women's swimming coach Dorsey Tierney, Earhart couldn't hold out on a head coaching job any longer. He took the men's position at Carthage College, six miles north of Chicago.\n"The success we've had here has opened up a lot of doors," Earhart said, speaking of IU's rise in the conference, including a third-place finish at the Big Ten meet in February. "I wanted to be a head coach, and there have been other good opportunities that I turned down last year. But it was worth it when you look at what we did this year."\nAnd now he'll get to do it on his own with a whole new team. Earhart was sold on the commitment Carthage made to promote swimming on its campus. Besides an impressive salary package, the college, which has 1,600 full-time students, is constructing a new pool and facility for its swimmers. \nAdd a great recruiting location, and Earhart was hooked.\n"We're six miles north of Chicago and 60 miles south of Milwaukee," Earhart said. "We're in the middle of 60 million people. That's a pretty good recruiting area."\nA graduate of small Buena Vista college, where he starred as a swimmer, Earhart has spent his career coaching for major programs including IU, Minnesota and Tennessee. Although there will be a jump in competition level with his move to Division-III, Earhart said he is excited to try and close the gap.\n"I'm bringing some radical ideas to D-III schools," Earhart said. "I want swimmers to swim in the Olympics. This is an opportunity to get kids to coach fast, whether its D-I, D-II or D-III. We want to compete with D-I schools."\nEarhart said Tierney was initially disappointed that he was leaving -- not because he was leaving, but because of where.\nEarhart said Tierney had a mixed response to the news.\n"She was disappointed initially," Earhart said. "She wanted me to go D-I. But then she realized it's what I want and got excited for the opportunity. I wouldn't make a decision like this if it wasn't what I wanted. \n"The last time I left a program was at Minnesota, and the next year they won the Big Ten. I'd be tickled pink if that happens here at IU"