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Diving coach Abel Sanchez is leaving New Mexico to work in that same capacity at North Carolina, Tar Heels swimming coach Rich DeSelm announced on the school’s website Monday.
Sanchez, a 2000 Olympian and a three-time All-American at Michigan, was UNM’s diving coach since October 2004.
He was named the Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year in 2011 and 2012. He coached six conference champions, two NCAA All-Americans, 37 MWC finalists, and three competitors who became MWC diver of the year.
At Michigan, Sanchez twice placed in the top 10 at the NCAA championships, was a three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection and earned two conference silver medals. Michigan won four straight conference titles and a national championship while Sanchez was there.
In the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Sanchez participated in the 3-meter and platform competitions for Peru, his father’s home country.
“We are extremely excited to announce that Abel Sanchez will join our staff as the new diving coach at North Carolina,” DeSelm said. “Abel has an impressive background as a diver and as a collegiate and club coach.”
