Stewart Joins Duke’s Swimming and Diving Staff

DURHAM – Director of Swimming and Diving Brian Barnes announced the hiring of Coleman Stewart as an assistant coach on Monday. Coleman joins the Blue Devils’ staff following an illustrious professional swimming career.
 
“I am thrilled to be joining Brian’s staff and Duke Athletics,” Stewart said. “Duke’s a one-of-a-kind student-athlete experience and the legacy of excellence is something our staff is looking forward to continuing and enhancing. With Brian at the helm, this program is going to grow at a tremendous rate, and I am so excited to be a part of it.”
 
On August 29, 2021, Stewart broke the world record in the short course 100-meter backstroke, posting a time of 48.33 at Piscina Felice Scandone in Naples, Italy, as part of the regular season competition during the 2021 International Swimming league.
 
“I welcome Coleman and his wife Olivia into the Duke family,” Barnes said. “This has been a rewarding process for me. My goal is to surround this team with highly motivated ambitious coaches, but most importantly people of great character. After spending the past few years around Coleman, I am certain Duke Swimming and Diving is getting a quality coach and person.”
 
During the 2019 World University Games, Stewart placed 8th in the 50-meter butterfly and won bronze in the 100-meter butterfly with a time of 52.11. Stewart also competed in the 2016 and 2020 US Olympic Trials, setting an American record in the 4×100 meter medley relay with teammates Nick Fink (breaststroke), Caeleb Dressel (butterfly) and Justin Ress (freestyle) in a combined final time of 3:19.64.
 
“Coleman’s swimming career went from a college walk-on to a World Record holder in the span of five years,” Barnes said. “His story is a perfect example of what can happen when hard work meets opportunity. I am excited to add a coach who has an elite understanding of technique and skill who has backed it up in record fashion.”
 
Following graduation, Stewart swam professionally in Raleigh, NC, spending three years training and competing in international competition. Stewart also has spent time with the Marlins of Raleigh as an Assistant Coach and the Hawthorne Stingrays as a Head Coach.
 
While in college, Stewart was a two-time NCAA Champion in 2018, winning the 100 backstroke and 400 freestyle relay, while becoming a 22-time All-American. Stewart won 13 ACC championships including the 100 backstroke (3), 200 backstroke (3), 200 medley relay (4), 400 freestyle (2) and the 400-medley relay (1).
 
In 2020, Stewart earned ACC Men’s Swimmer of the Year and ACC Meet MVP. He added ACC Men’s Swimmer of the Year in 2019 and ACC Meet Co-MVP. In 2017, he was awarded as the ACC Freshman of the Year and earned CSCAA Scholar All-American status.
 
A 2021 graduate of NC State University, Stewart earned his degree in Business Administration and a Minor in Coaching. 
 
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