Coaching Staff

Philip Kraus–Head Coach
Head Coach Phil Kraus joined GPAC beginning with the short course season in the Fall of 2007. Coach Kraus has more than 15 years experience coaching at all levels of swimming, with the last eight years at the collegiate level. Coach Kraus’ most recent position prior to joining GPAC was as Assistant Men’s and Women’s Swim Coach at the University of South Carolina. During his coaching tenure at the collegiate level, Coach Kraus’ college athletes have achieved a high measure of success. All told, 19 All-Conference competitors, 17 individual Conference event winners, 8 NCAA Qualifiers, 3 Olympic Trial Qualifiers, 5 All-Americans, 8 Academic All-conference selections and 5 Academic All-Americans have called Phil Kraus their coach.

Coach Kraus is a native of Indiana and is a graduate of Ball State University where, among his many academic and athletic achievements, he was a four year letterman on the men’s swimming and diving team. His undergraduate degree is in secondary education, with a minor in Aquatics: Teaching/Coaching. Coach Kraus is working on completing his Masters of Science in Sports Studies in the area of Sports Behavior and Performance from Miami University–Oxford, Ohio. He has served as a camp counselor/swim coach under the tutelage of David Marsh at the Auburn Tigers Swim Camps.

Coach Phil, his wife Anne and their son Kouper are excited to be a part of a terrific team with a rich history and he is looking forward to helping to build on the proud traditions of GPAC.



Steven Fair–Head Site Coach "The Club" Gulf Breeze
Coach Fair, the Head Site coach at our location in Gulf Breeze (The Club), has many years of coaching experience at the age group, high school and master’s levels. . Coach Fair has coached several Junior National Qualifiers, All American, and nationally ranked swimmers. He also coached Camille Waddell to several world records at the 1996 Paralympics. Steven was a guest speaker at the 2006 ASCA World Clinic. Steven is an avid triathlete and marathon runner and coaches them as
well. Coach Fair has a culinary degree from Faulkner State Steven and his wife Beverly have a son, Dennis who was born in April 2010.

Greg Johnson–Head Age Group Coach
Coach Greg Johnson began his GPAC career in he Fall of 2010. He has 7 years coaching experience including four as an assistant with the North Carolina Aquatic Club and UNC. The last 3 years he has served as the Head Coach of the North Cross School & Carter Center Aquatics. Through his coaching efforts, Coach Greg has assisted with and developed NCAA qualifiers, ACC Champions, 4 Senior National qualifiers, 8 Junior National qualifiers and 10 SR. Sectional qualifiers, as well as state qualifiers and state champions. Coach Greg also has other swim team related experience with his involvement in the UNC swim camps and his implementation of a Swim America learn to swim program. Coach Greg currently has a level 3 certification from the American Swim Coaches Association.

Coach Greg grew up in North Carolina and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism & Mass Communication with a concentration in Public Relations. Coach Greg also was a 4-year leer winner for the Tar Heels from 1998 to 2002 where he specialized in Distance Free and the Butterfly.

Coach Greg is married and he and his wife Samantha had a their first child in March of 2010.
His name is Oliver



Alex Gillespie–Head Site Coach Milestone Pool
Coach Alex Gillespie leads GPAC’s Milestone program, coaching the White, Blue, and Green Groups.  He brings a wealth of knowledge to his athletes as a former GPAC swimmer himself.  Alex’s coaching style brings out the best in his swimmers and he has a distinct talent for instilling a love and appreciation for the sport in even his youngest athletes.  He provides a strong foundation for his swimmers to move up and become successful southeast conference age group competitors.During his tenure with GPAC, Alex was a two-time Southeastern Champion in the 100 meter breaststroke.  He was also a state high school finalist, Junior National Qualifier, and earned a place on the Florida State All-Star Team in his junior and senior years.  He was a NCAA Division I Mid-Major Scholarship Swimmer for the University of Louisiana in Monroe. He is currently undergoing training to become a fireman.

Jacquie Diehl–Assistant Age Group Coach at "The Club" Gulf Breeze
Coach Jacquie began coaching for GPAC in the Fall of 2008. She has worked with swimmers of all ages and abilities from swim lessons to triathletes. Coach Diehl's swimming career includes competing for seven years with UCSC (St. Louis Missouri) where she was a state finalist, and water polo player. Jacquie was recognized as the first women to play for an all men's water polo team in St.Louis Missouri, where she lettered 4 years on the varsity teams in swimming and water polo. Jacquie was also the first woman to play for Olympic Water Polo Coach Don Casey at Mary Institute St.Louis Country Day School. Jacquie has a degree in Business Administration. Jacquie and her husband Mike have two enthusiastic swimmers Lexi McNamara and Gabby Diehl on GPAC.

Kevin Kelly–Assistant Age Group Coach at PSC
Coach Kevin started with GPAC as a coach in Fall 2009. His previous experence in swim instruction came from his working with GPAC's Swim School and from coaching the masters team with Pensacola State College.

Coach Kevin graduated from Pensacola High School in 2008. He excelled as a multi sport athlete (varsity football, soccer, cross country, and track) at PHS and earned his diploma from the prestigious International Baccalaureate Program. Coach Kevin will graduate in the Spring of 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in History degree after only 5 semesters of course work from the University of West Florida.

Amy Wolfenden–Assistant Age Group Coach
at Milestone
Coach Amy began began coaching with GPAC in the Winter of 2009. Amy began her coaching career as a swim school instructor for GPAC during her high school years and she was an assistant for the Washington Sealions as well. After college she worked as an assistant swim coach for Gulf Coast Aquatics as well as being a middle school coach for Ferry's Pass. Recently, Amy returned to swim coaching with Milton High School during the 2009-200 school year. Coach Amy has also coached cheer leading, softball and basketball.

Coach Amy grew up in Pensacola and was a member of GPAC during her youth. She was a Junior and Senior national qualifier and a 2 time state champion for Washington High School in the 100 yard Butterfly. Upon gradation she went to LSU and she swam for the Tigers. She has her Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management and a Masters degree in Physical Education

Coach Amy and her husband, David, have 2 children, Bella and Cameron. Both girls are active in sports and have recently started swimming with GPAC.

Candace Smith (Knowles)–Substitute Coach
She swam competitively for 12 years and is a former GPAC swimmer who currently holds two GPAC team records. Candace was a state finalist all four years of high school, and received the Pensacola Sports Association "Scholar Athlete Award" for girls swimming. Candace is currently a full time teacher in the Escambia County school system. Candace and her husband, Justin, reside in Gulf Breeze.