Pittsburgh Head Coach Chuck Knoles Retires After 26 Years at Helm

Photo Courtesy: PETE MADIA/Pittsburgh Athletics

University of Pittsburgh swimming and diving coach Chuck Knoles, a fixture at Trees Pool for more than a quarter century, has announced his retirement.

Knoles joined Pitt in 1990 as head men’s swimming and diving coach. In 2002, he assumed the additional responsibilities as head coach of the women’s program.

During his 26-year tenure, he compiled 326 victories, making him the all-time winningest men’s swimming and diving coach in school history. His ledger with the men’s program also includes 11 Big East Conference championships.

“For more than 25 years, Chuck Knoles has been synonymous with swimming at Pitt,” Athletic Director Scott Barnes said. “Besides his impressive longevity, Chuck’s tenure has been highlighted by many important milestones and achievements. We are incredibly grateful for his contributions, not only to Pitt swimming but to Pitt Athletics as a whole.”

“I have been blessed to have the opportunity to work at one of the finest universities in the country for the past 26 years,” Knoles said. “In my more than two-and-a-half decades here as a head coach and educator, I have been able to assist hundreds of young men and women transform into phenomenal people who have brought honor and success to themselves, to Pitt and the swimming and diving program.

“Even though I am retiring from coaching at Pitt, I prefer to think that I am embarking on the next chapter of my life that will allow me to spend time with my family and friends, including my mother in Arizona. I will now be able to spend that valuable time with those I love—time that we as coaches can’t always seem to find.

“I am excited for Pitt swimming and diving and their future in the ACC. With a multi-million dollar renovation set to be underway in just days, the program’s future is very bright. I want to thank the University and the Athletics Department for allowing me to help shape and lead the swimming and diving program over these many years. Hail to Pitt!”

Knoles was a six-time Big East Coach of the Year. He was also recognized with the American Swimming Coaches Association Award of Excellence. In 2013, Knoles was inducted into the Pennsylvania Swimming Hall of Fame.

Under his direction, eight Pitt swimmers achieved All-America Honorable Mention status, including the first two women in program history.

In addition to accolades in the pool, Knoles also coached 35 recipients of the prestigious Blue-Gold or Panther Awards, the highest honors bestowed upon Pitt student-athletes.

A national search for Knoles’ successor will begin immediately.

“Our most important responsibility is positioning our student-athletes to reach their greatest potential academically, athletically and personally. Those will be the values that drive our search for a new head coach,” Barnes said.

Pittsburgh contributed this report.

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Dunc1952

8 years ago

Congratulations, Chuck.

Gelos

8 years ago

Chuck is a true gentleman in every sense of the word. He kept swimming relevant at Pitt through changes in administrations, conferences, and even branding, going from Pitt to Pittsburgh and back to Pitt again. Most of all, when people complain about their facilities, Chuck continually upgraded and renovated a very old facility (by today’s standards) and was successful. He was also a professional, not just a coach, in the sport before it was fashionable to do so. He took on leadership roles in local and national organizations for swimming, he also is one of the more savvy businessmen in the sport. He demonstrated to the administration that his sport was important and needed to be funded. The opportunities he provided to his swimmers, staff, and others involved in the sport with him will be remembered fondly. He left Pitt in a better place than he found it and that is all that can really be asked.