Indiana head diving coach Drew Johansen announced the addition of Eric Best to the diving staff on Friday morning. Best will serve as the program’s volunteer assistant coach.
“Eric is going to be a tremendous addition to the team,†Johansen said. “His knowledge and experience are unmatched.â€
Prior to joining the Indiana staff, Best served as the head men’s and women’s diving coach for the Michigan State Spartans for 20 seasons. In his tenure with Sparty, he produced divers that competed at the NCAA Zones, NCAA Championships, USA Diving Nationals, and the U.S. Olympic Trials. Best was named Big Ten Diving Coach of the Year in 2006.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Drew and the entire Indiana diving team,†Best said. “I feel honored to be a part of the great tradition of Indiana Diving.â€
Best worked the Michigan State University Diving Camps for 40 years (1979-2019) as either a coach or director.
Prior to his stint at MSU, Best served as the diving coach at West Bloomfield (Mich.) High School from 1991-2002. He coached 26 state meet qualifiers in 11 consecutive years, including six state finalists and two All-Americans in the high school ranks.
Best also spent one season (1980-81) as the diving coach at Oakland Community College, where he coached two NJCAA qualifiers, including a fifth-place finisher.
He served as a Sergeant in both the United States Army and Michigan National Guard as an Aircraft Electrician and Helicopter Crew Chief. He was Honorably Discharged in October 1992.
Best was a member of the Michigan State diving team from 1979-82. He is a 1992 cum laude graduate of Wayne State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in secondary education.
