Kyle Cormier joined the Missouri State swimming and diving staff as a graduate assistant in 2014-15 and returns for his second season with the Bears in 2015-16.
Cormier brings a wealth of experience as a coach and swimmer to the Bears' program. He has worked with a variety of levels of athletes and brings his own collegiate experience to Missouri State.
Cormier serves as the primary coach of the sprint group, as well as assisting in planning and recruiting.
"Kyle joining our staff is huge for our program," head coach Dave Collins said. "Any time you can have an All-American on the staff, it is beneficial. He brings a level of enthusiasm that we must have as we continue to set goals on winning conference championships and competing at the NCAA Championships. We have already seen his expertise in making stroke corrections, as well as new alternative training ideas he has brought to the program."
The effect of Cormier's arrival was felt immediately on both the men's and women's teams in 2014-15.
It was a memorable season for the Bears, one that saw a school-record three student-athletes advance to the NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving Championships in Iowa City, the women's team win its eighth straight Missouri Valley Conference title and the men win 11 of the 20 events but finish runner-up at the Mid-American Conference Championships by just 20 points. In Cormier's first season alone with the program, 11 swimmers finished with NCAA considerations times and Missouri State broke a combined 13 school records between the men's and women's teams.
Before arriving at Missouri State, Cormier recently served as the head coach of the Dolphin-Laser Swim club team in Little Rock, Ark., and was the head coach of the Club 20 Sharks in Pensacola, Fla. Before his head duties, Cormier worked as an assistant at Trinity Prep Aquatics in Orlando, Fla., and Mecklenburg Aquatic Club in Charlotte, N.C.
A former two-time NCAA All-American and three-time Academic All-SEC swimmer for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, Cormier excelled at freestyle and individual medley events. Graduating in 2009 with a bachelor's degree in hospitality management, Cormier finished his career with seven top-16 finishes and two top-8 finishes at the SEC championships. He currently holds USC records in the 100 free, 200 free, 200 IM, 400 free relay and 800 free relay.
Cormier also had the opportunity to compete at the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials. He finished his swimming career with 12 top-8 finishes in international competition and nine top-16 finishes at the U.S. Winter Nationals.
