Our Coaching Staff
Olympic-level coaches dedicated to developing world-class swimmers.
World-Class Leadership
Excellence in Coaching
From NCAA champions to Olympic gold medalists, our coaching staff represents the highest level of competitive swimming expertise. They bring decades of elite experience and a proven track record to every single practice.
We provide our athletes with the precise technical knowledge and rigorous mental preparation needed to excel. Our team doesn't just coach—they build the foundation for champions.
Braden Holloway
Head Coach
Head Coach, NC State Swimming
Braden Holloway has transformed NC State Swimming & Diving into an elite national powerhouse and Team USA Olympic pipeline since taking the helm in 2011.
Background
After winning back-to-back ACC titles as an NC State student-athlete, Holloway built his coaching foundation at the Division III level and Virginia Tech before returning to his alma mater in 2011 to completely revitalize the program.
Education
NC State University (B.S. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management), Virginia Tech University (M.Ed.)
Specialty
High-Performance Team Culture & Elite Development
Achievements
- •2024 Paris Olympics Assistant Coach
- •2025 World Championships Head Coach
- •9 Consecutive NCAA Top-10 Finishes
- •18 NCAA National Titles
- •11 ACC Conference Team Championships
- •11x ACC Coach of the Year
Coaching History
- •2025 — Head Coach — Team USA (World Aquatic Championships)
- •2024 — Assistant Coach — Team USA (Paris Olympics)
- •2011-Present — Head Coach — NC State University
- •2008-2011 — Associate Head Coach & Recruiting Coordinator — Virginia Tech University
- •2004-2008 — Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator — Virginia Tech University
- •2003-2004 — Assistant Coach — The University of the South (Sewanee)
Dan Kesler
Associate Head Coach
Associate Head Coach, NC State Swimming
Dan Kesler returned to his alma mater in 2023 to spearhead the technical development of the Wolfpack's elite distance and individual medley groups.
Background
A standout distance freestyle specialist and 2002–03 team captain for NC State, Kesler built a decorated 20-year coaching resume at Wingate, Arizona State (under Bob Bowman), and Florida State before a successful stint as a Division I head coach.
Education
NC State University (B.S. in Business Management)
Specialty
Elite Distance Freestyle & IM Program Design
Achievements
- •WAC Coach of the Year
- •Coached 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Finalist
Coaching History
- •2023-Present — Associate Head Coach — NC State University
- •2021–2023 — Head Women's Swimming Coach — Utah Tech University
- •2019–2021 — Associate Head Coach — Florida State University
- •2012–2019 — Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator — Arizona State University
- •2007–2012 — Lead Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator — Wingate University
Dan Kalupski
Associate Head Coach
Associate Head Coach, NC State Swimming
Dan Kalupski is the primary architect behind NC State's elite recruiting classes and a USA Swimming National Team staff member who directs the program's dominant middle-distance and aerobic groups.
Background
A Chicago native and former team captain at UW-Stevens Point, Kalupski built a reputation for recruiting excellence at MIT and DePauw before joining the Wolfpack in 2017 and steadily climbing from volunteer assistant to lead assistant.
Education
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (B.S. in Business Administration, Coaching Minor), Indiana State University (M.S. in Sport Management)
Specialty
Mid-Distance/Aerobic Group Development & Championship Recruiting Strategy
Achievements
- •Team USA Coaching Appointment (2025 World University Games)
- •4x USA Swimming National Team Coach
- •7 ACC Conference Team Titles
- •9 NCAA National Titles & 7 American Records
Coaching History
- •2025-Present — Associate Head Coach — NC State University
- •2025 — Coach — Team USA (World University Games)
- •2024-2025 — Lead Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator — NC State University
- •2019-2024 — Assistant Coach — NC State University
- •2019-Present — Coach — USA National Team
- •2017-2019 — Volunteer Assistant Coach — NC State University
- •2015–2017 — Head Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator — Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- •2014-2015 — Assistant Men's Swimming & Diving Coach — DePauw University
Stefani Wendelschaefer
Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator, NC State Swimming
Stefani Wendelschaefer is an elite mid-distance specialist for the Wolfpack who also represents the United States on the international stage as a USA Swimming National Team coach.
Background
A former four-time conference champion and team captain at Grove City College, Wendelschaefer built her early career coaching at Washington & Jefferson and her alma mater before arriving at NC State in 2021 and advancing from volunteer to full-time assistant.
Education
Grove City College (B.S. in Exercise Science), Pennsylvania Western University – California (M.S. in Exercise Science and Health Promotion)
Specialty
Mid-Distance Group Technical Development & National Student-Athlete Welfare Recruitment
Achievements
- •Team USA Pan Pacific Coaching Staff
- •2x USA Swimming National Team Coach
- •4 ACC Conference Team Titles
Coaching History
- •2026 — Assistant Coach — Team USA (Pan Pacific Championships)
- •2025-Present — Assistant Coach & Recruiting Coordinator — NC State University
- •2023-2024 — Coach — USA Swimming National Team
- •2022–2025 — Assistant Coach — NC State University
- •2021–2022 — Volunteer Assistant Coach — NC State University
- •2019–2021 — Assistant Men's & Women's Swimming Coach — Grove City College
- •2018–2019 — Intern Assistant Coach — Washington & Jefferson College
- •2017-2018 — Volunteer Assistant Coach — Grove City College
Kevin Happ
Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach / Operations, NC State Swimming & Director of Operations, Wolfpack Elite
Kevin Happ utilizes a deep background in elite sports management to drive the technical development and day-to-day excellence of the Wolfpack program.
Background
An Ohio native and former team captain at Indiana University, Happ managed high-level aquatics and facilities at SwimMAC and Princeton before serving six seasons as NC State's Director of Operations, later transitioning to a full-time assistant coaching role.
Education
Indiana University (B.S. in Recreation Sports Management) & (M.S. in Kinesiology (Athletic Administration & Sports Management)
Specialty
Logistical Strategy, Aquatic Program Operations & Technical Development
Achievements
- •2x World Championship Coach
- •Big South Conference Coach of the Year
Coaching History
- •2023–Present — Assistant Coach & Director of Operations — NC State University
- •2023-2024 — World Championships Coach — Team Poland
- •2017–2023 — Director of Operations — NC State University
- •2015–2017 — Assistant Director of Aquatics & Coach — Princeton University
Daniel Graber
Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach, NC State Swimming
A former three-time NC State All-American, Daniel Graber returns to Raleigh with seven seasons of Division I coaching experience at Duke, Dartmouth, and Virginia Tech.
Background
Blends a standout career as an NC State championship breaststroker with seven seasons of proven collegiate coaching experience developing national-level talent.
Education
NC State University (B.S. Mechanical Engineering)
Specialty
Sprint and mid-distance stroke mechanics
Achievements
- •35+ School Records
- •3x NCAA All-American
- •2x ACC Champion
Coaching History
- •2026-Present — Assistant Coach — NC State University
- •2023-2026 — Assistant Coach — Duke University
- •2021-2023 — Assistant Coach — Dartmouth College
- •2020-2021 — Volunteer Assistant Coach — Virginia Tech University
Michael Baric
Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach, NC State Swimming
Michael Baric leverages his extensive ACC pedigree to specialize in technical sprint mechanics and elite athlete development for the Wolfpack.
Background
A former two-time team captain and three-time school record holder at UNCW, Baric qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials with Wolfpack Elite before spending six seasons coaching rival UNC-Chapel Hill's marquee sprint groups.
Education
University of North Carolina at Wilmington (B.A. in History), University of Florida (M.S. in Sport Management)
Specialty
Elite Sprint Freestyle Mechanics, Power Development & Relay Technical Execution
Achievements
- •74 NCAA All-America Honors Assisted
- •2023 Men's ACC Team Championship
- •2016 U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier
Coaching History
- •2023–Present — Assistant Coach — NC State University
- •2022–2023 — Volunteer Assistant Coach — NC State University
- •2017–2022 — Assistant Swimming Coach — University of North Carolina
- •2016–2017 — Administrative & Operations Assistant — University of North Carolina
Ready to Train with the Best?
Join Wolfpack Elite and train under a proven, championship-level coaching staff. Whether you are climbing the local ranks or preparing for the national stage, we have a program designed to unlock your full potential.