North Carolina State University Athletics
Michael Baric Promoted to Assistant Coach with Wolfpack Swimming & Diving
6/25/2023 12:06:00 PM | Swimming
RALEIGH – The NC State swimming and diving program has promoted Michael Baric to assistant coach, as announced by head coach Braden Holloway on Sunday.
Baric earned the title after spending the last year as a volunteer assistant for the team.
"Michael has been a fantastic addition to the program this past year," said Holloway. "His ability to see our sport from various angles has been vital in our student-athletes' development. He not only excels on the deck but also in regards to building relationships with the student-athletes, which is a key part of our culture. We are excited to promote Michael to assistant coach."
Since joining the staff ahead of 2022-23, Baric has played a valuable role in a successful campaign that ended with the Pack men winning the 2023 ACC Championship and both teams earning fifth-place finishes at the NCAA Championships. NC State had the highest national finishes of any combined program in the nation, and Baric was a part of coaching 17 Wolfpack student-athletes to 74 All-America honors at the season-ending meet.
"I'm thrilled for the opportunity to continue with the Wolfpack," said Baric. "Braden and the staff are at the forefront of our sport and have built a top-notch culture here. Swimming post-grad at NC State is what made me want to be a coach, and with my father being an alumnus from the 70s, this place already shaped so much of who I am. I am excited and ready to give back to it. Go Pack!"
Baric came to NC State after spending six seasons as an assistant coach at UNC. During his time with the Tar Heels, Baric worked primarily with the spring group and coached numerous ACC medalists, team record holders and NCAA All-Americans. During his time in Chapel Hill, he had multiple swimmers qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials and earn top-16 finishes at the Phillips 66 Nationals meets.
Prior to this, Baric earned his Masters in Sports Administration from Florida and worked as a manager for the swimming and diving program there. Following his collegiate career, he gained coaching experience with club teams in both North Carolina and Florida, working with the Marlins of Raleigh and the Gator Swim Club.
Baric swam collegiately at UNCW where he became a three-time school record holder and was named the team's Rookie of the Year in 2011. He served as captain of the Seahawks' men's team during his junior and senior years and was awarded with the Seahawk Leadership Award in 2014. Baric majored in history and minored in psychology and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts & Sciences degree in May of 2014. After graduation, Baric swam for two seasons as a post graduate for Wolfpack Elite.
