Illinois Swim and Dive Adds Zach Closson as Assistant Coach
June 4, 2026 | Swimming & Diving
NEWS
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Zach Closson has joined the Illinois swim and dive staff as an assistant coach, head coach Jeana Kempe announced on Thursday evening.
Closson joins Illinois after two years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Ohio University. While at Ohio, he primarily worked with the sprinters and middle-distance freestyle swimmers. During the last two seasons, Closson helped guide the Bobcats to consecutive second place finishes at the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championships, the best team result since 2013.
Prior to his stint at Ohio, Closson worked for three years as an assistant coach with the Mecklenburg Swim Association, at the Indian Trail and Moss Creek sites. While there, he implemented new training programs to focus on long-term athlete development and assisted in integrating a new dryland workout program.
At his first stop, Bowling Green State University, Closson served for three years as a volunteer assistant coach with the Falcons. He primarily worked with the sprint freestyle and breaststroke disciplines, while also assisting with practice plans, travel operations, and meet preparation.
Closson, a native of El Dorado Hills, California, is a 2019 graduate of Bowling Green, where he earned a degree in sport management with a minor in general business.
