FORT MYERS, Fla. - Chris Sweat, who has spent the past five seasons as an assistant coach, is being promoted to head coach of the FGCU beach volleyball program.
 
"During my five years as an assistant, I saw Matt's vision and watched this program elevate to new heights," Sweat said. "I am beyond ecstatic and so humbled to have the opportunity to lead this program and continue what has been built over the years. I want to thank Matt Botsford and athletic director Ken Kavanagh for believing in me, and I can't wait to get started."
 
Sweat, who was named to VolleyballMag.com's Under 40 Coaching Hotshots list earlier this week, takes over for Matt Botsford, who will convert into the Director of Volleyball role, providing oversight for both the beach and indoor programs, while maintaining his position as head coach on the indoor side of the two-time defending ASUN champion Eagles.
 
"This is an exciting moment for our beach volleyball program as we transition into a new stage of growth," Botsford said. "Chris has been a loyal and trusted member of this team since my arrival, and his contributions have helped shape our direction immensely. Elevating him to the head coaching position keeps us on the right path, and in fact, I expect it will allow us to accomplish a lot more moving forward. FGCU beach volleyball is in great hands with Chris leading the way."
 
During his tenure, Sweat has been instrumental in the growth of the program. Charged with annual daily oversight of the Eagle's fall season training, the team has compiled a 63-41 record since losing the first nine matches of his tenure, and the streak started with wins in four of the final six matches of his opening season. Overall, the team has had a winning record in each year since.

In his second year, Sweat helped lead the program to its first winning season, which included a third-place finish at the ASUN tournament. The 2017 season produced a program-record 15 wins and a runner-up postseason finish. In 2018, the Green and Blue tied the 15-win record, defeated No. 15 Florida Atlantic for its first win over a ranked team and earned the No. 2 seed in the ASUN Championship for the first time. This past season, the team won a best ever 18 matches and recorded a runner-up finish at the ASUN tournament, nearly knocking off national No. 8 Stetson in the finals.

"Chris has been a valued member of our coaching staff who has certainly earned this elevated opportunity," FGCU Director of Athletics Ken Kavanagh said. "We are excited to witness him assume this new role and to watch him expand on our recent beach team successes. Likewise, to provide additional time for Matt to concentrate on growing our top 50 indoor program, while still allowing him to contribute to building upon the many accomplishments for our beach unit for which he has done such a wonderful job overseeing."  

Prior to joining the staff at FGCU, Sweat served as the head varsity volleyball coach at Barron Collier High School and spent six years coaching the USA South volleyball club. As an athlete with 17 years of playing experience, he won the AAU national championship in Imperial Beach, Calif. in 2000 and compiled a five-year streak with a top-3 or better finish in the event.

Sweat, who resides in Naples with his wife Alyssa, earned a bachelor of science in resort and hospitality management from FGCU in 2007. His brother, Nick, is married to former FGCU indoor star and 2016 Olympic beach volleyball gold medalist, Brooke Youngquist. 
 
The 2020 FGCU beach schedule begins March 6-7 in St. Petersburg with Eckerd College's Battle on the Bay. Sweat will coach his first home match on March 28 against Eckerd and Saint Leo.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-the minute information and a behind-the-scenes look at the FGCU beach volleyball program, follow on Twitter at @FGCU_BeachVB, on Facebook at /FGCUVolleyball and on Instagram at @FGCU_BeachVB.

#FEEDFGCU
FGCU Athletics sponsors events in November and April to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.

ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 80 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 12 seasons at the Division-I level. Additionally, in just eight seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 36 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Seven FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport - including both men's and women's soccer again in 2018. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best sixth-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. In 2018-19, the Eagles had an ASUN and state of Florida best seven teams earn the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for their Academic Progress Rate in their sport. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.35 GPA in the classroom in the spring 2018 semester and has outperformed the general University undergraduate population for twenty consecutive semesters. The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours in 2017 - being recognized as one of two runners-up for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.

--FGCUATHLETICS.COM--