Chapel Hill, N.C. – The University of North Carolina swimming program has employed longtime prep and membership coach Andrew Eckhart to hitch the employees as an assistant coach, head coach
Mark Gangloff introduced on Tuesday. Eckhart brings 15 years of expertise to Chapel Hill after serving in plenty of completely different roles in Sarasota and Miami, Fla. Most lately, Eckhart held the place of affiliate head coach with the Sarasota Sharks.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Andrew and his family to Chapel Hill,” Gangloff stated. “Andrew has played a pivotal role in shaping the Sarasota Sharks into one of the nation’s premier club programs, consistently ranked among the Top 10 and highlighted by the development of world-class athletes such as Summer McIntosh. His proven track record in athlete development and his extensive relationships across the club coaching community will strengthen our program as we continue to pursue excellence and attract the best swimming talent to Carolina.”
Eckhart spent six years with the Sharks because the affiliate facility director and head age group coach earlier than transitioning to affiliate head coach in 2024. He performed a vital position in rising the Sharks roster of athletes, whereas considerably enhancing their retention charges. In the pool, Eckhart led his teams to a number of LSC age group and senior championships in addition to ladies’s and mixed futures meet championships. His athletes set LSC data within the 200 and 400 medley relays and he additionally guided a gaggle to wave one and two of the U.S. Olympic Trials. Most notably, Eckhart performed a job in Sarasota native Emma Weyant’s silver-medal end within the 400 IM on the Tokyo Olympics.
“I want to thank Coach Gangloff and Carolina for this wonderful opportunity,” Eckhart stated. “I’ll always cherish my time working at the prep and club level. The relationships we built during that time will be long-lasting. But, when this opportunity presented itself, I knew it was the right thing for me and my family. I’m excited about this new challenge, especially with a prestigious program like Carolina swimming, and I can’t wait to get to work with the talented young men and women in the program.”
In addition to his work with the Sharks, Eckhart served as head coach of the girls and boys swim groups at Sarasota High School from 2018-25. He led the group to 4 state championships and was a four-time Florida Dairy Farmer Coach of the Year. Eckhart was additionally a finalist for nationwide coach of the 12 months in 2023.
Eckhart spent two years in Miami because the assistant aquatics director for the Gulliver Schools and a head age group coach for the Gulliver Swim Club. He oversaw the swimming curriculum for Pre-Ok by means of eighth grade on the Gulliver Schools, whereas main the 14 and beneath facet of the the Gulliver Swim Club. Under his tutelage, over 30 swimmers posted Top 10 finishes on the Florida Gold Coast Junior Olympics. Eckhart additionally guided the membership to second-place finishes on the Long Course and Short Course Florida Gold Coast Junior Olympics.
During his first stint in Sarasota from 2012-16, Eckhart was the lead assistant coach overseeing the highschool and seventh and eighth grade teams for the Sarasota Family YMCA. He mentored over 50 swimmers that certified for the Florida state meet. His swimmers produced a number of All-America honors and Top 16 state finishes.
Before heading to Sarasota, Eckhart coached at Florida State as a volunteer assistant through the 2011-12 season. He was additionally the affiliate head coach of Club Seminole throughout his time in Tallahassee.
Eckhart acquired his begin in teaching in Massillon, Ohio, the place he was an assistant coach for the boys highschool group at Jackson High School for the 2010-2011 season. He additionally coached at Paul and Carol David YMCA, the place he coached all ranges of teams from eight and unders to the senior age teams.
A four-year letterwinner at Eastern Michigan, Eckhart was chosen as a group captain throughout his senior 12 months. He graduated from EMU with a double main in secondary schooling and historical past together with a minor in political science.
Eckhart and his spouse Erin have two sons, Colin and Anderson.
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