University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Gophers Announce Promotions Within Coaching Staff
6/26/2026 2:40:00 PM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. – University of Minnesota Director of Swimming and Diving Kelly Kremer has announced changes to the coaching staff for the upcoming 2026-27 season, promoting Maddy Olson to Senior Associate Head Coach and Zach Mertens to Associate Head Coach.
Maddy Olson will be entering her ninth season with the Gopher swimming and diving program in 2026-27, continuing to lead the distance swim group. Throughout her tenure with the maroon and gold, Olson has also served as a coach for the US National Team and was an Assistant Coach for Team USA at the 2025 World Championships in Singapore. Olson has seen major success with Gopher athletes, including coaching Gopher alumnus Joey Tepper to a 12th place finish at the world championships in the 10k open water event and junior Katie McCarthy to an All-American finish in the 1650 free at the 2026 NCAA Championships.
"Minnesota is home for me," said Olson. "I'm so thankful to Coach Kremer and the group of swimmers I get to work with every day, it's a joy to be going into year 9!"
Zach Mertens enters his fourth season with the Minnesota swimming and diving program in 2026-27, leading recruitment for the men's team and on-campus recruitment for the program. Mertens will continue to work with a sprint swim group for the Gophers that has seen recent success, including a new school record of 25.10 in the long course 50 free set by sophomore Livi Wanner earlier this summer.
"I'm so grateful to Coach Kelly Kremer and this opportunity," said Mertens. "I'm fortunate to work with such an accomplished staff here at Minnesota and I'm excited to be part of the future of such a historic program. Go Gophers!"