The wave of coaching changes continues to push into the new academic year. On the heels of Matt Ense leaving DePauw to return to Cincinnati, Erin Detwiler is leaving Allegheny to return to Wisconsin with DeForest Aquatic Club (DFAC). Allegheny Director of Athletics and Recreation Portia Hoeg announced that Kirk Kumbier will step up as interim head men's and women's swimming and diving coach. That leaves Alma and UW-River Falls as two Division III programs still searching for head coaches."Kirk has made a positive impact in his two years as an assistant with our program." commented Hoeg. "In particular, his contributions to recruiting and training current and future Allegheny student-athletes make him a great candidate to lead our program during this transitional time."
A five-time national qualifier at perennial national powerhouse Kenyon College, Kumbier has served as a coach-counselor at numerous high-level camps including: the Salo Swim Camp at the University of Southern California, the Wolverine Swim Camp at the University of Michigan and the Total Performance Elite Breaststroke and Comprehensive camps in Gambier, Ohio. In 2011, he was presented with the Stephen E. Bennett Memorial Award, presented annually to a Kenyon student-athlete who has supported the program in devotion to training and competition.
"I would like to thank Portia and the administration for the opportunity to step into the interim position. I have enjoyed working at Allegheny over the past two years and am excited to see what heights the program can reach this season," commented Kumbier. "We have a strong group of newcomers joining our veterans and I am looking forward to working with each one of our student-athletes. I am confident that we will thrive, continuing the established traditions of our program as we move forward into the next chapter of Allegheny swimming and diving."
"I also would like to express my gratitude towards Coach Detwiler for preparing me to take on this role. She is more than just an outstanding coach and motivator; she has been my friend and mentor these past two years."
Detwiler took the helm of the Allegheny program in 2011, and began to lay the groundwork to reestablish Allegheny as one of the elite swimming and diving programs in Division III. In her first season, she earned the NCAC Women's Swimming Coach of the Year Award after leading the women's squad to a third place finish at the conference championships.
"Thanks to Erin, the swimming and diving programs continued to make impressive strides in returning to their long tradition of excellence," commented Hoeg. "We are very appreciative for her three years of service at Allegheny."
Under the leadership of Detwiler, Allegheny picked up three All-American selections, eight All-NCAC plaudits. The Gators were also successful in the classroom, garnering College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) All-American honors for the men's and women's teams during the spring 2012, fall 2012 and spring 2013 semesters.
"I am sad to leave my Gator family. I will miss my daily interactions with friends, colleagues and the team. I will cherish my experiences and the people I have had the good fortune to work with at Allegheny. I made many long-standing friendships while I have worked at Allegheny and know they will hold beyond the Allegheny walls," commented Detwiler.
A national search for the head position will commence in January, while a search for an assistant swimming and diving coach will commence immediately. The Gators will open their season on Saturday, Oct. 19 in Gambier, Ohio and Granville, Ohio, hosting their first home meet on Oct. 26 against Grove City.
