University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jerome M. Ibrahim
Swimming & Diving Adds Louw, Meitz To Coaching Staff
June 12, 2026 | Swimming & Diving
Chapel Hill, N.C. – The University of North Carolina swimming and diving program has added two elite assistant coaches in Gideon Louw and Kaersten Meitz to its staff, head coach Mark Gangloff announced Friday. Louw, a two-time Olympian who will serve as associate head coach, and Meitz, a four-time All-American, join the Tar Heel staff after guiding Pitt to one of its most successful runs in program history.
Over the past two seasons, Pitt produced historic results at the NCAA Championships. The women's team achieved the highest finish in program history and the men's team posted their best NCAA result in 73 years. Both Louw and Meitz were part of a staff recognized nationally for individualized athlete development, physiological expertise, and a recruiting model that produced top eight NCAA finishes.
"We're thrilled to add Gideon and Kaersten to our staff," said Head Coach Mark Gangloff. "One of the things that excites me most is that they have already established a working relationship and a chemistry that translates directly to results. Pairing that with what we have been building here at UNC creates something special, and I believe the best days of this program are ahead of us. It's an exciting time for Carolina swimming and diving and I can't wait to see what's next."
"I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Head Coach Mark Gangloff and Senior Associate Athletic Director Clint Gwaltney for the incredible opportunity to join and serve the UNC community," Louw added. "I am truly honored to become part of such a prestigious athletic department and to work alongside the outstanding swimming and diving staff. The tradition of excellence, commitment to student-athlete success, and passion that define Carolina make this a very special opportunity for my family and I. We are thrilled to begin this new chapter, embrace the Tar Heel community, and proudly call Chapel Hill home. I cannot wait to get started and contribute to the continued success of the program."
A 14-year coaching veteran, Louw pairs his Olympic journey with a technical foundation that makes him one of the best coaches in the country. During stops at Pitt, Auburn, Minnesota and Florida St., he's used his exercise physiology background produce elite performances from the sprint groups he's mentored.
Louw has served as a USA Swimming national team coach for several cycles and led the Guatemalan national team as head coach for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Committee's Order of Ikkos after mentoring David Plummer to gold in the 400-meter relay and bronze in the 100-meter backstroke at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
As a competitor, Louw swam in both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, while earning medals at the Commonwealth Games. He is an NCAA champion who was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
"There are very few coaches in the country who combine Gideon's competitive pedigree with his coaching track record," Gangloff stated. "We prepared for the 2012 Olympics together as teammates, and I have watched him develop into an elite coach at every stop. Bringing him to Chapel Hill is a tremendous win for this program."
Meitz is one of the rising stars in the coaching profession. During her two stops at Washington St. and Pitt, she's used her extensive knowledge and ability to communicate to deliver outstanding results. A middle distance and distance specialist, Meitz helped Pitt to historic program accomplishments, while serving as the programs' recruiting coordinator on the women's side. She's also been a USA Swimming committee member for several years.
In the pool, Meitz was a part of four USA Swimming national teams, winning two gold medals and a silver at the World University Games. She was a two-time U.S. Olympic Trials finalist and a four-time All-American at Purdue.
"I have seen firsthand the impact Kaersten had on the women's programs she has been a part of," Gangloff added. "She is a young coach with a rare ability to build cohesion and culture, and those qualities are exactly what elevate a program over time. I am excited about what she is going to bring to the future of Carolina swimming and diving."
"I couldn't be more excited to be joining the Carolina family," Meitz said. "I am eager to help build on UNC's success at the ACC, NCAA and international levels. The storied athletic success at UNC makes it a place where I know we can coach and develop athletes to reach their highest athletic potential while gaining a world class education. I want to give a special thank you to Coach Gangloff, his wife Ashley, and the rest of the staff for this opportunity where I am confident I can continue to grow as a coach and a leader."
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).
Over the past two seasons, Pitt produced historic results at the NCAA Championships. The women's team achieved the highest finish in program history and the men's team posted their best NCAA result in 73 years. Both Louw and Meitz were part of a staff recognized nationally for individualized athlete development, physiological expertise, and a recruiting model that produced top eight NCAA finishes.
"We're thrilled to add Gideon and Kaersten to our staff," said Head Coach Mark Gangloff. "One of the things that excites me most is that they have already established a working relationship and a chemistry that translates directly to results. Pairing that with what we have been building here at UNC creates something special, and I believe the best days of this program are ahead of us. It's an exciting time for Carolina swimming and diving and I can't wait to see what's next."
"I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Head Coach Mark Gangloff and Senior Associate Athletic Director Clint Gwaltney for the incredible opportunity to join and serve the UNC community," Louw added. "I am truly honored to become part of such a prestigious athletic department and to work alongside the outstanding swimming and diving staff. The tradition of excellence, commitment to student-athlete success, and passion that define Carolina make this a very special opportunity for my family and I. We are thrilled to begin this new chapter, embrace the Tar Heel community, and proudly call Chapel Hill home. I cannot wait to get started and contribute to the continued success of the program."
A 14-year coaching veteran, Louw pairs his Olympic journey with a technical foundation that makes him one of the best coaches in the country. During stops at Pitt, Auburn, Minnesota and Florida St., he's used his exercise physiology background produce elite performances from the sprint groups he's mentored.
Louw has served as a USA Swimming national team coach for several cycles and led the Guatemalan national team as head coach for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Committee's Order of Ikkos after mentoring David Plummer to gold in the 400-meter relay and bronze in the 100-meter backstroke at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
As a competitor, Louw swam in both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, while earning medals at the Commonwealth Games. He is an NCAA champion who was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
"There are very few coaches in the country who combine Gideon's competitive pedigree with his coaching track record," Gangloff stated. "We prepared for the 2012 Olympics together as teammates, and I have watched him develop into an elite coach at every stop. Bringing him to Chapel Hill is a tremendous win for this program."
Meitz is one of the rising stars in the coaching profession. During her two stops at Washington St. and Pitt, she's used her extensive knowledge and ability to communicate to deliver outstanding results. A middle distance and distance specialist, Meitz helped Pitt to historic program accomplishments, while serving as the programs' recruiting coordinator on the women's side. She's also been a USA Swimming committee member for several years.
In the pool, Meitz was a part of four USA Swimming national teams, winning two gold medals and a silver at the World University Games. She was a two-time U.S. Olympic Trials finalist and a four-time All-American at Purdue.
"I have seen firsthand the impact Kaersten had on the women's programs she has been a part of," Gangloff added. "She is a young coach with a rare ability to build cohesion and culture, and those qualities are exactly what elevate a program over time. I am excited about what she is going to bring to the future of Carolina swimming and diving."
"I couldn't be more excited to be joining the Carolina family," Meitz said. "I am eager to help build on UNC's success at the ACC, NCAA and international levels. The storied athletic success at UNC makes it a place where I know we can coach and develop athletes to reach their highest athletic potential while gaining a world class education. I want to give a special thank you to Coach Gangloff, his wife Ashley, and the rest of the staff for this opportunity where I am confident I can continue to grow as a coach and a leader."
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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