Chris Sykes
UWF has hired Chris Sykes to lead its women’s swimming and diving program into its first season at the Division I level.
Sykes replaces Phil Kraus, who retired after leading the Argonauts to their seventh consecutive NSISC championship last season.
“We look forward to seeing where he takes this program as we go into the first year as a Division I institution,” Associate Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Dave Scott said.
Sykes comes to Pensacola after spending 16 seasons at Illinois College. He served one season as an assistant before becoming the head coach of its men’s and women’s swimming programs.
During his tenure, Sykes coached national qualifiers, conference champions and numerous all-conference performers. His swimmers also established several school records.
The Illinois College men went undefeated during the 2025-26 season and extended their dual-meet winning streak to 19. The women posted a winning dual-meet record, improved two places in the conference standings and broke 10 school records.
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to be named the next head coach of Argo Swimming and Diving,” Sykes said. “This is an exciting new chapter, and I am honored to be part of it.”
Sykes said one of his priorities will be building strong relationships with UWF’s student-athletes, coaches, alumni and the surrounding Argo community.
He will work alongside diving coach Barb Parker, the reigning NSISC Diving Coach of the Year. Together, they will prepare UWF for its next level of competition while maintaining the standard established under Kraus.
Sykes is not being asked to rebuild UWF swimming and diving. He is being asked to carry its championship standard into Division I.
