Michael Kinross Hired as Swim & Dive Assistant Coach
9/30/2024 10:50:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
PITTSBURGH – The Pitt swimming and diving program, and head coach Chase Kreitler, announced today the hiring of Michael Kinross as an assistant coach.
Prior to Pitt, Kinross was the head coach at Bishop Gorman High School while also serving as the assistant head coach for the Sandpipers of Nevada swimming program. The Sandpipers of Nevada are the premiere competitive swim team based in and around the Las Vegas, NV area.
"We are very excited to add Michael Kinross to our coaching staff." said Kreitler. "Michael has built a fantastic résumé coaching at one of the premier USA Swimming club teams in the nation over the past eight years."
While with the Sandpipers, Kinross directly coached 20 Sectional to Olympic Trial level senior athletes for the 475-member club while assisting with team management and working with USA National Team members. Kinross has guided 42 Sandpipers to swim collegiately at 32 different universities throughout his eight years with the program.
One year after joining the Sandpipers of Nevada, Kinross became the head swim coach at Bishop Gorman High School where oversaw a 65-member team for the last seven seasons. In 2023, he was named the NIAA 5A Southern Regional Boys Coach of the Year.
"He is an extremely knowledgeable and passionate coach who will be a fantastic recruiter and on-deck coach for our team. He will work closely with our middle distance and distance groups." Kreitler continued. "As we look to continue to move up nationally and in the ACC, I believe Michael will play a key part in helping us achieve those goals!"
Before moving to Nevada, Kinross was the Head Age Group Coach and Assistant Head Coach for the Barrington Swim Club in Barrington, Illinois. Kinross helped the swim club achieve USA Swimming Bronze Medal status in 2015 and Silver Medal status in 2016. While with the club, he coached multiple state champions, three state record holders and an Olympic Trial qualifier.
Kinross has coached on the international stage as well, coaching for Team USA twice in his career and once with Team Mexico. While with Team USA, he was an assistant coach for the UANA Open Water Championship in 2019 and the FINA World Junior Open Water Championships in 2022. As for his time with Team Mexico, Kinross was a Personal Coach for the World Aquatics 2023 Open Water World Cup in Paris, France last year.
Kinross's swimming career began at age 9 for his local YMCA and would conclude at Eastern Michigan University. While at EMU, he helped the Eagles win 3 Mid-American Conference Championships while receiving All-MAC Academic Honors and MAC Swimmer of the Week awards.