Alec Kandt Takes Over as Head Coach of St. Bonaventure
Alec Kandt was announced on Friday as the new head coach at St. Bonaventure.
Kandt replaces Mike Smiechowski, who departed last month to take an associate head coaching position at Penn State.
Kandt is new to Olean, having served as an assistant most recently at Southern Illinois. He led the Salukis women’s team to a second-place result at the Missouri Valley Conference and the men to third last year. He worked with the sprint and breaststroke groups at SIU, coaching three Olympians.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to join the St. Bonaventure community,” Kandt said in a university press release. “This university has such a rich history of tradition and success, and I consider myself lucky to contribute. I want to express my gratitude to Bob Beretta, the athletic department, and the university for trusting me with this program. Assuming the role of head coach is not something I take lightly, and I am excited to further the growth, success, and development of the athletes within the program.”
Kandt was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator from 2022-25 at Arkansas. The native of Grove Heights, Minn., started his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Michigan State, then served a year in the same role at the University of Florida, which won a men’s SEC championships in 2018 with him on staff. He helped launch the men’s swimming and diving program at Davenport University in Michigan in 2020.
Kandt swam at Michigan State at its now defunct program. He qualified for U.S. Olympic Trials in 2016 in the 100 breaststroke, an event in which he graduated with the Michigan State program record.
“Alec brings a wealth of experience as a Division I assistant coach and is a former collegiate swimmer who excelled at the highest level,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Bob Beretta said. “Alec boasts a championship mindset and is highly regarded throughout coaching circles. His vision, energy, and commitment to excellence align perfectly with the standards of St. Bonaventure University and our athletic department. We are confident he will continue to build upon the long track record of success that St. Bonaventure’s swimming and diving programs have enjoyed, and are excited to welcome Alec and his wife, Piper, to the Bona family.”
“In his short time with the Salukis, Alec made a strong impact on the student-athletes and coaches,” SIU coach Geoff Hanson said. “His passion and knowledge for the sport will be a great asset to the St. Bonaventure program, and I wish him the best of luck in his first head coaching role.”
