WHEELING – There comes a time when everyone just needs and wants a new challenge.
When it comes to swimming training, Nick Levi didn’t have to look far for his next challenge.
Levi, who recently stepped down after 13 seasons as head coach at Martins Ferry, has been hired as the next boys’ and girls’ swimming coach at the Linsly School.
Levi takes over the OVAC’s premier swim program and is given the unenviable task of replacing legendary head coach Bill Brubaker, who has retired.
“I know the footsteps are huge, but I’m definitely looking forward to the challenge,” said Levi. “Coach Bru has been Mr. Swimming in the Ohio Valley for over 40 years. When it came to swimming, Bru was there. When you think of the high school floating around here, think of him.”
Brubaker managed Linsly’s boys’ and girls’ teams for 42 seasons, winning 40 OVAC titles between the two teams. He is a member of the OVAC Hall of Fame and the OVAC Swimming Championship Meet is named in his honor.
Brubaker has previously said he will remain with Linsly – both on the academic side and the swim program – in hopes of helping Levi’s transition.
“It will be nice to have him with me and guide me through this process,” Levi said. “I will definitely lean on him. I just want to build on the foundation that Bru has already laid. I know some of the kids, which is helpful, and I’ll add my own spin to things, but I’ll also keep some of Coach Bru’s spin. I’m just looking forward to getting started.”
Although Brubaker and Linsly had just officially announced his retirement from coaching, the idea that he might not return to the deck as head coach had been in his mind for a while.
“I got a call from Coach Bru asking if I was interested,” Levi recalled. “I said I would, and he asked me to meet up. We spoke and he passed my name on (to the Linsly administration) and really started the process.”
While the tradition of swimming and having your own pool were big factors for Levi to pursue the job, there was a lot more than just the athletic side.
“It’s the whole Linsly tradition,” Levi said. “The school has been around for more than 200 years and is highly regarded academically and athletically as one of the best (private) schools in the border triangle and in the region. Everything Linsly offers to develop the whole student is what made it so appealing.”
A known swim junkie, Levi has spent a lot of time in the Linsly pool during reunions and spring training sessions for the YMCA team. He caught himself staring at the 71 OVAC Championship banners.
“They have such history and tradition with their (swimming) program,” Levi said. “You’ve only had three coaches in history (Warren Pugh, Paul Blair and Brubaker) and all three are legends. I just want to do my best to continue the (tradition).”
The hardest part of the decision was dealing with the fact that he was leaving a Purple Riders program he’s been involved with basically his entire life.
Aside from the four years he was a student at Ohio University, Levi has been involved with Ferry Swimming in one capacity or another. In fact, he was a member of the first boys high school swim team in school history in 2000-01.
“It was definitely a special time,” Levi said. “I’ve been here for 19 years and you always welcome the opportunity to coach at your alma mater. Really, I just wanted to give back to the kids and help out in any way I could.”
Levi has certainly made a lasting impression on the Riders. He led the Purple to OVAC swimming titles in 2010, 2015 and 2017, saw at least one competitor qualify for the district swimming championship each season, and qualified for the OHSAA State Meet four consecutive seasons.
“I look back on my time at Martins Ferry with great fondness,” said Levi. “We had a lot of fun. It’s always nice when the alumni come back and help out with the summer team and talk about this meeting or that meeting. We did some special things and had a really nice run.”
After three seasons as an assistant coach, Levi rose to head coaching at the age of 24.
“It was an honor when (Superintendent) Nick Stankovich hired me in 2009 and gave a young man a chance,” Levi admitted. “My time at Martins Ferry will hold a special place for me. We had a lot of great, hard-working swimmers and coaches. Without them, we wouldn’t have had the success and culture we had there. I am also grateful for the administrative support.”
In addition to the achievements of the program, Levi has received multiple awards for his success as a coach and for his work in the sport. He received the 2022 OHSAA Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award for Girls Swimming; was named District Coach of the Year in 2019, 2015, 16 and 17 OVAC Girls Swimming Coach of the Year. He was also named Boys Coach of the Year.
In addition to his prep swim duties, Levi also serves as the Head Coach for Martins Ferry Aquatic Club, which includes children ages 5 to 18 from throughout the Ohio Valley. He is also a US Certified Swim Coach and a member of the American Swim Coaches Association.
Levi has already hired Martins Ferry alum Jarrett Bollinger, who was an eight-time OVAC swimming champion and three-time OHSAA qualifier, as his chief assistant.
Outside the pool, Levi has a business degree and works at WesBanco in Wheeling.