Marc Swindle Named Air Force Volleyball Coach
4/15/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
April 15, 2016
USAF ACADEMY, Colo. – Marc Swindle has been named the head coach of the Air Force volleyball team, Air Force athletic director Jim Knowlton announced today. Swindle, who has spent the last six seasons as an assistant coach for the Falcons' program, is the ninth head coach in Academy history.
"I'm excited to have Marc leading our volleyball program," Knowlton said. "He has played a critical role in our rebuilding efforts and I am confident that he will continue those efforts as the Academy strives to build leaders of character for our Air Force and our Nation. Marc has an extensive volleyball background and the players he's coached have been successful on and off the court throughout his career."
Since he arrived as an assistant coach prior to the 2010 season, the Falcons have improved their single-season win total to 13 – the most by an Air Force squad in more than a decade – and tallied the most conference wins (seven) since moving to Division I. He coached Akokwe Clement to back-to-back all-conference accolades – the first such Division I occurrence in Academy history – and helped Air Force to two High Honorable Mention recruiting awards from PrepVolleyball.com (2012, 2014).
"I am honored that Mr. Knowlton and the selection committee saw me as the best fit to improve on the success we've had here at the Academy," Swindle said. "I'm excited for the community to see our team's fresh faces. Air Force volleyball will be the best place for a family to come – a place where they will be able to see incredible student-athletes and role models compete in the Mountain West Conference."
Swindle, who has served as a coach during four of the last five USA Volleyball National Team tryouts in Colorado Springs, was the assistant coach of the Mountain West All-Star Volleyball Team that finished third at the 2015 European Global Challenge in Croatia.
Swindle joined the Academy staff after spending two years as a volunteer assistant at the University of New Mexico. During his time on the sidelines, the Lobos compiled a 42-17 record, which included its first appearance at the NCAA Championships in 15 years.
Prior to joining the collegiate ranks, he spent over 20 years as a club coach, with his teams winning 16 age-group regional championships and 14 qualifications to the USA Volleyball National Championships. Two of the athletes he coached, Colleen Smith and Jeannie Fairchild, went on to receive AVCA All-America status as college players. Swindle also spent 10 years as the director of the New Mexico Juniors program, which grew from four teams to the largest club in New Mexico in just three years.
Swindle graduated from the University of New Mexico in 1992, following a four-year career as a member of the UNM men's volleyball team. He was named the USA volleyball Regional Player of the Year during the 1991-94 seasons.
