Illinois Adds Zach Closson as Assistant Coach
The University of Illinois on Thursday announced the hiring of Zach Closson as an assistant coach.
Closson replaces Kyle Patnode, who earlier this week was hired by Michigan away from the staff of Jeana Kempe.
Closson spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Ohio University. He worked with the Bobcats’ middle distance and sprint groups. He helped them to a pair of runner-up results at the Mid-American Conference Championships, their first in the team standings in the conference since 2013.
Closson is a native of El Dorado Hills, California. He graduated from Bowling Green in 2019. He began his coaching career there as a volunteer assistant for three seasons. He then spent three seasons at Mecklenburg Swim Association, working at their Indian Trail and Moss Creek sites. His coaching there included implementation of a new training program for long-term athlete development and integrating a new dryland training program.
