USA Fencing

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Fencing coaches will want to turn their attention to a handful of attractive vacancies at top collegiate institutions, including Duke University, Wheaton College, Wagner College and UNC-Chapel Hill.

Each position gives a talented coach the chance to make their mark and either continue the legacies of those who came before them or, in one case, become the face of an exciting new collegiate fencing program.

The highest-profile position is at Duke University in Durham, N.C., where the head coaching position has become available after the retirement of the legendary Alex Beguinet, who leaves behind both massive shoes to fill and a remarkable opportunity for a motivated coach to take the reins of a storied program.

Beguinet's retirement marks the end of an era for Duke's fencing program. With a remarkable 38 seasons leading the Blue Devils, Beguinet's tenure included 813 wins, two NCAA champions and the men's team capturing its first ACC title in program history in 2018.

He also guided both the women's and men's teams to ACC titles in 2021. And if that’s not impressive enough, Beguinet also coached the talented Becca Ward OLY and Ibtihaj Muhammad OLY, each an Olympic medalist in saber.

Interested candidates can learn more about the position and apply on Duke’s website.

Meanwhile, Wheaton College in Norton, Mass., is searching for a head women's and men's coach to lead their newly created intercollegiate fencing program. The chosen candidate will have the unique opportunity to shape and develop the program from the ground up, starting with recruiting and building the team for the program's inaugural season in 2024-25. Interested candidates can learn more and apply on Wheaton’s website.

The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., is also on the hunt for a talented foil and epee coach. The selected candidate will work closely with the head coach, contributing to various aspects of the program such as practice, player skill development and recruiting. Interested candidates can learn more and apply here.

And finally, Wagner College in Staten Island, N.Y., is seeking a graduate assistant coach for their women's and men's fencing program. The position will report to Wagner’s head coach of women’s and men’s fencing, David Sierra. Interested candidates can learn more about applying here.

As these prestigious institutions search for new coaching leadership, the future of collegiate fencing promises continued growth, excitement and opportunity. The new coaches will have the chance to shape young student-athletes through a sport that is both life-changing and lifelong.