North Carolina Hires Andrew Eckhart as Assistant Coach

North Carolina Hires Andrew Eckhart as Assistant Coach

The University of North Carolina on Wednesday employed Andrew Eckhart as an assistant coach on the workers of head man Mark Gangloff.

Eckhart involves the faculty ranks from the membership realm, most lately an the affiliate head coach at powerhouse Sarasota Sharks. He’s constantly been ranked by the American Swimming Coaches Association as one of many nation’s prime age-group coaches.

“I want to thank Coach Gangloff and Carolina for this wonderful opportunity,” Eckhart stated in a university press release. “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.”

Eckhart spent seven years with Sarasota, six because the affiliate facility director and head age-group coach earlier than changing into the affiliate head coach in 2024. His pupils embrace Emma Weyant, the Sarasota native who gained a silver medal within the 400 particular person medley on the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Eckhart was the pinnacle coach of Sarasota High School’s girls and boys groups from 2018-25. He gained 4 state titles, was 4 instances named the Florida Dairy Farmer Coach of the Year and in 2023 was a finalist for nationwide coach of the 12 months.

Previously, he was the assistant aquatics director for the Gulliver Schools and head age-group coach for Gulliver Swim Club in Miami. His membership teaching profession started on the opposite facet of Sarasota because the lead assistant for highschool and center schoolers at Sarasota Family YMCA from 2012-16.

Eckhart swam at Eastern Michigan University, a staff captain as a senior. He obtained his diploma in secondary training and historical past with a minor in political science. He started teaching in 2010 at Jackson High School in Massillon, Ohio, as an assistant for the boys staff and an age-group coach at Paul and Carol David YMCA. He acquired a style of school teaching as a volunteer assistant for Florida State in 2011-12, whereas additionally serving because the affiliate head coach of Club Seminole.

“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.”