Head coach Mark Gangloff announced on Tuesday that Kirk Kumbier has been promoted to associate head coach for North Carolina swimming and diving.
Kumbier, who joined the Tar Heels in May 2022, has led the team’s sprint group and designed their speed and power development program, making a significant impact. He also served as the men’s recruiting coordinator last season, helping to secure one of the best recruiting classes in UNC’s history.
“In his initial years with us, Kirk Kumbier has made a remarkable impact, and I am delighted to announce his promotion to Associate Head Coach,” said Gangloff. “Kirk has excelled in leading our sprint program and has played a crucial role in enhancing our recruiting strategy. On deck, I look forward to seeing Kirk continue to develop one of the nation’s top sprint programs. Off deck, as our new Director of Recruiting, he is the ideal person to attract the world’s top swimmers. There is no one better suited for this role, and I am confident in his ability to elevate our program.”
Kumbier’s efforts on the women’s side have resulted in five individual All-America Honorable Mention accolades, along with an All-America honor for Grace Countie in the 50 freestyle in 2023. Under his guidance, the women have achieved six All-America relay honors, including a first-team performance in the 200 medley in 2023, and three NCAA relay A-cuts. All five women’s relays qualified for the NCAA Championships this past season.
On the men’s side, Kumbier helped coach the 200 freestyle relay to an A-cut, and the 800 freestyle relay earned All-America Honorable Mention recognition in 2024. Over the past two seasons, five men’s relays have qualified for the NCAA Championships.
Since Kumbier joined the coaching staff two years ago, the Tar Heels have seen 13 women’s and 10 men’s team records fall, with eight swimmers securing U.S. Olympic Trials cuts. He has helped lead the women to back-to-back fourth-place finishes at the ACC Championships and a 10th-place finish at the NCAAs in 2023.
“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and feel blessed to be part of a staff that brings creativity, energy, and unparalleled passion to the deck every day,” said Kumbier. “I want to thank Coach Gangloff for trusting me. I’m excited to continue developing the sprint program, expand my recruiting role, and build on the foundation we’ve laid together as a staff and team. It’s an honor to be part of the Carolina Athletics family, where there’s a rich history of success in all sports and amazing support for student-athletes, staff, and teams. I truly appreciate our administration’s steadfast leadership as we navigate the changing landscape in college athletics. It’s going to be an exciting time to be a Tar Heel these next few years.”
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