Paul Root

Biography

Paul Root begins his 2nd season as Grand Canyon's Associate men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach in the 2026-27 season. During the 2025-26 season, the Lopes transitioned into new conference homes in the Mountain West and Big West while continuing their national success. Carter Dooling qualified for the men’s NCAA Championships after winning the 200-yard breaststroke title at the Big West Championships to earn an NCAA automatic qualifying bid. The men also placed third out of 30 teams at the CSCAA National Invitational Championship, while Taylor Stasny earned an NCAA B cut on the women’s side in a stacked Mountain West field. Grand Canyon University's swimming and diving program has added a key piece to its coaching staff with the hiring of Paul Root, a GCU alumnus and accomplished coach across the Arizona swim scene who will now be the associate head coach. Root returns to GCU, where he was a swimmer and 2013 graduate, following more than a decade of coaching experience at the club, high school, and collegiate levels. Most recently, Root served as head coach of the Arizona Dolphins from 2019 to 2025, leading the team to four top-10 finishes at the Western Senior Zones and helping produce 41 state records and a 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier. "I could not be more excited to be returning to GCU, this is a full circle moment for me," Root said. "Having watched the University grow over the last few years I am eager to help make GCU Swimming and Diving a premier NCAA de