GRAND FORKS, N.D.-- University of North Dakota head swimming coach Steve Parsons added a pair of assistant coaches, Anthony Harris and Dan Koenig, in recent weeks. Both were standout collegiate swimmers in the Midwest and have served at different levels in their coaching careers.
Harris most recently served as an assistant coach at Ohio University. Previously, he was the assistant swimming and diving coach, recruiting coordinator and aquatics coordinator at the University of South Dakota from 2005-11. During his time with the Coyotes, Harris coached 32 All-Americans, 25 school record-breaking performances and helped lead the school to three NCAA top-10 finishes. On top of his coaching duties, he also volunteered as a sports information assistant for USD football, softball, volleyball, soccer and basketball.
Prior to coaching at USD, Harris completed a graduate assistantship at St. Cloud University in St. Cloud, Minn., where he served as the assistant swimming and diving coach from 2003-05. In those two years, he coached 13 All-Americans. Harris also served a one-year stint as assistant swim coach at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point during the 2002-03 season.
Harris received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a minor in coaching from Stevens Point, as well as a Master of Science in sport management from St. Cloud University. He competed collegiately at Stevens Point from 1999-2002, where he was an 18-time conference champion (Relays, 100-yd. freestyle in 2001 and 100-yd. butterfly in 2002), a six-time All-American and three-time All-American Honorable Mention. He was named senior captain in the 2001-2002 season and was also named senior MVP.
"Anthony brings a lot of experience to the staff," Parsons said of the recently-arrived Harris. "His familiarity with the region will help in the recruiting process. He is a great addition to the coaching staff and I am looking forward to working with Anthony!"
Koenig comes to UND after serving as a graduate assistant coach at Carthage College last season. A native of Fitchburg, Wis., Koenig served as a student assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin, in 2009-10 and also coached with the Badger Aquatic Club. He also did a stint with the Senior/National Group at Fort Lauderdale Aquatics and as head coach for the Seminole Pool and Tennis Association.
Koenig was a four-year swimming letterwinner for the Badgers and an Olympic trials qualifier. He graduated in 2010 with a bachelor’s in sociology and earned the Buckingham Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement. He was a two-time state champion swimmer as a prep.
"Dan swam at Wisconsin so he brings that insight into what it takes to swim at that next level," Parsons said of Koenig, who's been on campus since just after the season started. "He is young and energetic and that shows in his coaching. I am excited to see Dan mature and develop as a coach."
Harris most recently served as an assistant coach at Ohio University. Previously, he was the assistant swimming and diving coach, recruiting coordinator and aquatics coordinator at the University of South Dakota from 2005-11. During his time with the Coyotes, Harris coached 32 All-Americans, 25 school record-breaking performances and helped lead the school to three NCAA top-10 finishes. On top of his coaching duties, he also volunteered as a sports information assistant for USD football, softball, volleyball, soccer and basketball.
Prior to coaching at USD, Harris completed a graduate assistantship at St. Cloud University in St. Cloud, Minn., where he served as the assistant swimming and diving coach from 2003-05. In those two years, he coached 13 All-Americans. Harris also served a one-year stint as assistant swim coach at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point during the 2002-03 season.
Harris received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications with a minor in coaching from Stevens Point, as well as a Master of Science in sport management from St. Cloud University. He competed collegiately at Stevens Point from 1999-2002, where he was an 18-time conference champion (Relays, 100-yd. freestyle in 2001 and 100-yd. butterfly in 2002), a six-time All-American and three-time All-American Honorable Mention. He was named senior captain in the 2001-2002 season and was also named senior MVP.
"Anthony brings a lot of experience to the staff," Parsons said of the recently-arrived Harris. "His familiarity with the region will help in the recruiting process. He is a great addition to the coaching staff and I am looking forward to working with Anthony!"
Koenig comes to UND after serving as a graduate assistant coach at Carthage College last season. A native of Fitchburg, Wis., Koenig served as a student assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Wisconsin, in 2009-10 and also coached with the Badger Aquatic Club. He also did a stint with the Senior/National Group at Fort Lauderdale Aquatics and as head coach for the Seminole Pool and Tennis Association.
Koenig was a four-year swimming letterwinner for the Badgers and an Olympic trials qualifier. He graduated in 2010 with a bachelor’s in sociology and earned the Buckingham Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement. He was a two-time state champion swimmer as a prep.
"Dan swam at Wisconsin so he brings that insight into what it takes to swim at that next level," Parsons said of Koenig, who's been on campus since just after the season started. "He is young and energetic and that shows in his coaching. I am excited to see Dan mature and develop as a coach."
