Swimming & Diving
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
Allan Kopel joined the swimming staff at North Carolina in September of 2000. Born February 25, 1955, Kopel, 45, is a native of Haverhill, Mass. He comes to UNC from Roswell, Ga. Where he served as regional director for SwimAtlanta Pool Management Company since this past January.
Kopel has extensive coaching experience over the past two decades. Prior to his job in Atlanta, Kopel served as assistant swimming coach and assistant aquatic director at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Fla. for one year Before that, he coached with the Fort Lauderdale Swim Team in Florida for six months in 1998, Haverhill High School in his Massachusetts hometown for three months in 1995, the Albany School District in Oregon from 1991-93, the Weston Swim Club in Weston, Mass. in 1986-87, the Sunkist Swim Team in Jackson, Miss. for three years, at Auburn University as a graduate assistant coach in 1981-82, and at the New England Barracuda Swim Club in Boston form 1979-81.
Kopel received his Bachelor of Arts degree in pyschology from the University of Vermont in 1978. He minored in physical education and coaching at UVM. He has a master's degree in education with cocentrations in psychology and sport and coaching from Auburn University which he earned in 1982 and a master's degree in business administration earned from Boston College in 1995. His concentration at Chestnut Hill was general management. He also earned a teaching certification in physical education for grades K-12 from Salem State College in Salem, Mass. in June 1991.
Kopel was a four-year varsity swimmer at University of Vermont in Burlington, Vt., where he established the school record in the 200-yard breaststroke. He was named the 1976 Vermont Swimmer of the Year for loyalty, dedication and point contribution.
A professed sports addict. Kopel enjoys movies, physical exercise, time with family and friends and body surfing at the beach. He roots hard for Boston’s professional sports teams and his boyhood favorite athletes were John Havlicek and Dave Cowens of the Boston Celtics. He has one brother, Hank, who he admires for his intellect, warm heart and work ethic. Kopel is single.
Kopel also says that he is thrilled to now be a part of the “Tar Heel Swimming Family.”
