Minnesota Swimming And Diving Adds Michael Hampel As Assistant Coach

The University of Minnesota has hired Michael Hampel as an assistant coach for its swimming and diving programs. He fills the position left vacant after former men’s head coach Mike Joyce departed last month to become associate head coach at the University of Georgia.

“Michael comes highly recommended from numerous coaches and administrators within our profession. He is early in this profession, but his passion for teaching, coaching, and recruiting student-athletes is clear the second you meet him! Michael is an outstanding fit for our program and we are looking forward to his arrival in Minneapolis!” said Minnesota’s Director of Swimming and Diving, Kelly Kremer, in the university’s press release.

Hampel arrives in Minneapolis after serving as an assistant coach at Southern Illinois University during the 2024–25 season. He led the breaststroke and IM training groups, assisted with the sprint group, and played a key role in recruiting both domestic and international athletes. Under his guidance, SIU became the top-performing mid-major Division I program at the Women’s NCAA Championships and established 27 conference records along with 38 school records throughout the season.

Prior to SIU, Hampel coached at Keiser for two years. The women’s program secured its third consecutive NAIA National Championship, while the men finished second at Nationals. Combined, both programs produced 89 NAIA All-Americans and won 13 national titles: seven individual and six relay championships.

While with the Seahawks, Hampel served as primary coach for Noel De Geus, who earned NAIA Swimmer of the Year honors and set an NAIA record in the 100 breast (51.43) in 2024.

Before Keiser, Hampel served as an assistant at the University of West Florida for a season, helping the program to its fourth consecutive Gulf South Conference Championship and sixth overall in the program’s history. He helped the Argonauts win their conference championship by a 407-point margin and field their largest NCAA roster with 16 swimmers. The program produced 28 NCAA All-Americans, set five school records, and recorded 45 top-10 all-time performances during that season.

Hampel joined the Argonaut staff with six years of club-level experience, including two years as head age group coach at Missouri State Aquatics.

“I am extremely excited to be joining the University of Minnesota Swimming and Diving staff,” Hampel said. “The leadership and loyalty to Minnesota this staff has shown is something difficult to find in today’s college landscape. I am humbled to be a part of this community, University, and truly elite program. I cannot wait to help these student-athletes reach their God-given potential in and out of the pool. Go Gophers!”

Hampel earned a bachelor’s in General Studies with a focus in Biomedical Science, Kinesiology, and Psychology from Missouri State University in 2022. He also earned a master’s in professional studies and a graduate certificate in Sports Management. He was selected for the First Team All-MAC twice and was a member of the 2020 Mid-American Conference Championship team. In 2020, he also qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 100 breast, where he finished 62nd.

Hampel joins a Minnesota staff that includes head diving coach Wenbo Chen, head women’s swim coach Stacy Busack, associate head coach Maddy Olson, and assistant coach Zach Mertens.