To understand why someone would lash out so severely, you have to have a little inside baseball about coaching hierarchy in the US. Having coached in two countries, there is something very unique about the way top American coaches are elevated.
What does strike me as strange is that before this announcement USA Swimming had three crucial roles they were hiring for. One is the CEO, with Tim Hinchey’s long awaited sacking. Then there is the National Team Director who will oversee that entirety of the “wet” side of the operation. Finally there is the National Junior Team coach.