Mike Rinde is in his second season as the assistant coach and Director of Program Development for the Lafayette swimming and diving program.
In his first season with the Leopards, the team saw historic success, breaking a total of 22Â school records, three pool records, and recording 81 new times in the all-time top 10.
Rinde joined Lafayette after two seasons with Lehigh University’s swimming and diving team, where he first served as a volunteer assistant before transitioning into a full-time assistant coaching role. His responsibilities included designing and running workouts, recruiting, coordinating official visits, and overseeing underwater video analysis and review.
Prior to Lehigh, Rinde was the Program Director and Head Coach at Parkland Swimming Club, where he played a key role in advancing the club’s mission and overall development.
From 2013 to 2022, Rinde held coaching positions across the country, working with programs in New York, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. His experience includes roles with Blue Eagle Swim Team, Nazareth High School Swimming and Diving, SwimAtlanta, Tampa Bay Aquatics, and the Montgomery YMCA Barracudas.
Rinde began his collegiate coaching career as a Graduate Assistant at Canisius University while earning his master’s degree from 2010 to 2013. At Canisius, he was instrumental in international recruitment, team operations, and technique development, specializing in distance training and coaching at Open Water Nationals. He also served as an assistant coach for the Town Wreckers Swim Team from 2009 to 2013.
A native of Horseheads, N.Y., Rinde earned his bachelor of science degree in health and wellness from SUNY Buffalo State College in 2010 before completing his master’s degree in sports administration from Canisius University in 2013.
He currently resides in Bethlehem, Pa., with his wife, Hayden, and their two dogs, Toots and Bodie.
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