Completed Event: Men's Swimming & Diving versus NCAA Championships on March 28, 2026 ,
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Men's Swimming & Diving
vs NCAA Championships
The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Swim and Dive Head Coach Jonas Persson Signs Contract Extension
5/13/2026 8:58 AM | General, Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
SALT LAKE CITY – Jonas Persson, the head coach of the University of Utah swimming and diving program, has signed a contract extension through the 2031 season, announced today by Director of Athletics Mark Harlan.
"Jonas has done a tremendous job executing the strategy and vision he had for elevating our swimming and diving program when he was hired four years ago, and I'm thrilled to extend his contract," Harlan said. "The student-athletes in his program epitomize the qualities that define our department's culture to achieve excellence in the classroom, competition and community. I look forward to the continued growth and success of our men's and women's swimming and diving program for years to come under his leadership."
Persson has helped take the Utah program to new heights in his seven seasons in Salt Lake City, spending the last four as head coach after serving as the associate head coach for his first three years. Utah has set 27 program records under Persson's tutelage, and he has overseen the development of 13 All-Americans.
"I am grateful for the continued trust from the University of Utah and Mark Harlan," Persson said. "This program has strong momentum, and I believe we are just getting started. Over the past few years, we've made meaningful progress in establishing our identity and raising our competitive standard and we will continue to do so moving forward."
This season, Persson coached 15 All-Big 12 swimmers, including Evan VanBrocklin and Nick Chirafisi, who represented Utah at the NCAA Championships in Atlanta. Chirafisi won gold at the Big 12 Championships in the 500 and 1650 Free, set the program record in the 200 and 500 Free, and tallied 11 first-place finishes as a junior, while VanBrocklin earned 10 gold medals during his senior season and set program records in the 100 and 200 Fly.
Persson also oversaw the development of Erin Palmer, who earned All-Big 12 First Team honors after a fourth-place finish in the 50 Free at the conference championships. Palmer owns four program records, logging the fastest times in the 50 Free and 100 Breast as well as being part of the record-setting 200 Free and 400 Free relay teams. She was chosen to represent Team USA in the FISU 2026 America Games in Lima, Peru, this July.
Persson has overseen the program's transition to the Big 12 Conference, where Utah swimmers have claimed seven weekly awards in the last two years. Nolan Dunkel was named the conference's Newcomer of the Week twice this season, while Davis Stachelek and Stephanie Oiesen were named Men's Swimmer of the Week and Women's Newcomer of the Week, respectively, once.
Since becoming the head coach prior to the 2022-23 season, Persson has led the women's squad to a 24-14 record in dual meets while guiding the men's side to a 24-10 mark.
"Our focus moving forward is on building a team that can consistently compete at the highest level in the Big 12 and in the NCAA while continuing to invest in our student-athletes, both in the pool and in their academic and personal growth," Persson added. "We are committed to creating an environment where our athletes can reach their full potential and represent the University of Utah at the highest level."
Stay Connected
Fans can follow along on social media (X: @UTAHswimdive | Instagram: @utahswimdive | Facebook: FB.com/UtahUtesSwimDive), and the official mobile app of Utah Athletics, Utah360 -- download here.
"Jonas has done a tremendous job executing the strategy and vision he had for elevating our swimming and diving program when he was hired four years ago, and I'm thrilled to extend his contract," Harlan said. "The student-athletes in his program epitomize the qualities that define our department's culture to achieve excellence in the classroom, competition and community. I look forward to the continued growth and success of our men's and women's swimming and diving program for years to come under his leadership."
Persson has helped take the Utah program to new heights in his seven seasons in Salt Lake City, spending the last four as head coach after serving as the associate head coach for his first three years. Utah has set 27 program records under Persson's tutelage, and he has overseen the development of 13 All-Americans.
"I am grateful for the continued trust from the University of Utah and Mark Harlan," Persson said. "This program has strong momentum, and I believe we are just getting started. Over the past few years, we've made meaningful progress in establishing our identity and raising our competitive standard and we will continue to do so moving forward."
This season, Persson coached 15 All-Big 12 swimmers, including Evan VanBrocklin and Nick Chirafisi, who represented Utah at the NCAA Championships in Atlanta. Chirafisi won gold at the Big 12 Championships in the 500 and 1650 Free, set the program record in the 200 and 500 Free, and tallied 11 first-place finishes as a junior, while VanBrocklin earned 10 gold medals during his senior season and set program records in the 100 and 200 Fly.
Persson also oversaw the development of Erin Palmer, who earned All-Big 12 First Team honors after a fourth-place finish in the 50 Free at the conference championships. Palmer owns four program records, logging the fastest times in the 50 Free and 100 Breast as well as being part of the record-setting 200 Free and 400 Free relay teams. She was chosen to represent Team USA in the FISU 2026 America Games in Lima, Peru, this July.
Persson has overseen the program's transition to the Big 12 Conference, where Utah swimmers have claimed seven weekly awards in the last two years. Nolan Dunkel was named the conference's Newcomer of the Week twice this season, while Davis Stachelek and Stephanie Oiesen were named Men's Swimmer of the Week and Women's Newcomer of the Week, respectively, once.
Since becoming the head coach prior to the 2022-23 season, Persson has led the women's squad to a 24-14 record in dual meets while guiding the men's side to a 24-10 mark.
"Our focus moving forward is on building a team that can consistently compete at the highest level in the Big 12 and in the NCAA while continuing to invest in our student-athletes, both in the pool and in their academic and personal growth," Persson added. "We are committed to creating an environment where our athletes can reach their full potential and represent the University of Utah at the highest level."
Stay Connected
Fans can follow along on social media (X: @UTAHswimdive | Instagram: @utahswimdive | Facebook: FB.com/UtahUtesSwimDive), and the official mobile app of Utah Athletics, Utah360 -- download here.
Players Mentioned
Free/Fly
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Back/Fly
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Free/Back
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Sprint Free/Breast
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Free
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
Free/Fly/IM
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