Eckhart Joins Swimming Coaching Staff

Chapel Hill, N.C. – The University of North Carolina swimming program has hired longtime prep and club coach Andrew Eckhart to join the staff as an assistant coach, head coach Mark Gangloff announced on Tuesday. Eckhart brings 15 years of experience to Chapel Hill after serving in a number of different roles in Sarasota and Miami, Fla. Most recently, Eckhart held the position of associate head coach with the Sarasota Sharks.

"We couldn't be more excited to welcome Andrew and his family to Chapel Hill," Gangloff said. "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 as the associate facility director and head age group coach before transitioning to associate head coach in 2024. He played a critical role in growing the Sharks roster of athletes, while significantly improving their retention rates. In the pool, Eckhart led his groups to multiple LSC age group and senior championships as well as women's and combined futures meet championships. His athletes set LSC records in the 200 and 400 medley relays and he also guided a group to wave one and two of the U.S. Olympic Trials. Most notably, Eckhart played a role in Sarasota native Emma Weyant's silver-medal finish in the 400 IM at the Tokyo Olympics.

"I want to thank Coach Gangloff and Carolina for this wonderful opportunity," Eckhart said. "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 boys and girls swim teams at Sarasota High School from 2018-25. He led the group to four state championships and was a four-time Florida Dairy Farmer Coach of the Year. Eckhart was also a finalist for national coach of the year in 2023.

Eckhart spent two years in Miami as 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-K through eighth grade at the Gulliver Schools, while leading the 14 and under side of the the Gulliver Swim Club. Under his tutelage, over 30 swimmers posted Top 10 finishes at the Florida Gold Coast Junior Olympics. Eckhart also guided the club to second-place finishes at 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 high school and seventh and eighth grade groups for the Sarasota Family YMCA. He mentored over 50 swimmers that qualified for the Florida state meet. His swimmers produced multiple All-America honors and Top 16 state finishes.

Before heading to Sarasota, Eckhart coached at Florida State as a volunteer assistant during the 2011-12 season. He was also the associate head coach of Club Seminole during his time in Tallahassee.

Eckhart got his start in coaching in Massillon, Ohio, where he was an assistant coach for the boys high school team at Jackson High School for the 2010-2011 season. He also coached at Paul and Carol David YMCA, where he coached all levels of groups from eight and unders to the senior age groups.

A four-year letterwinner at Eastern Michigan, Eckhart was selected as a team captain during his senior year. He graduated from EMU with a double major in secondary education and history along with a minor in political science.

Eckhart and his wife Erin have two sons, Colin and Anderson.

For up-to-date information on UNC Swimming & Diving, visit GoHeels.com/Swimming-and-Diving and follow on X (@uncswimdive), Instagram (@uncswimdive) and Facebook (Facebook.com/UNCswimdive).

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