Cal Assistant Chase Kreitler Will be the Next Head Coach, Pitt Informs Athletes

The University of Pittsburgh has informed its swimmers and divers Chase Kreitler as the next head coach of the swimming & diving program. In a letter sent out to the athletes last night, they were notified of the hire and that Kreitler will be in Pittsburgh next week to meet the team.

Kreitler has served as an assistant coach for the Cal men’s swim & dive team for the past 4 years, helping the Golden Bears to NCAA team titles in 2019 and 2022. He’s also served as a U.S. National Team coach every year since 2018, also serving on American coaching staffs for the 2018 Pan Pacs and 2019 World University Games. While at Cal, Kreitler is credited for working closely with 2019 NCAA Swimmer of the Year Andrew Seliskar.

Prior to his stint at Cal, Kreitler was a volunteer assistant with the Stanford women’s team, and before that, the Texas men’s team. With his background, Kreitler brings coaching experience with 3 of the top NCAA programs in the country to Pitt, not to mention his U.S. National Team experience. He also served as an assistant coach at LSU for 3 seasons (2013-2016), and Eastern Michigan University before that. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Cal State Bakersfield. During his time as an athlete at CSU Bakersfield, Kreitler was named co-captain for his senior season, and earned the university’s Outstanding Student award in exercise science. While at Eastern Michigan, Kreitler earned his Master’s in Exercise physiology.

The school hasn’t released contract details, but those familiar with the process said that the school budgeted about $175k for the head coach’s salary and another $320k for the diving coach and assistant coaches.

Chase and his wife also just welcomed a new baby into their family.

At the 2022 ACC Championships, the men’s team finished 9th, while the women’s team was 11th. Pitt qualified 3 athletes to men’s NCAAs, however, none of the 3 scored points. One diver qualified for women’s NCAAs, also not scoring points.

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Swimtothemoon24
2 years ago

First time in 8 (?) years his team isn’t going to win or finish 2nd at NCAA 😂

SwimFanner
2 years ago

This sounds like a great higher. Really hope to see Pitt flourish as a program, and I think this is a MAJOR step in the right direction.

Welcome to PA!
2 years ago

An incredibly humble coach, with such a deep love for the sport. He has worked on deck with a handful of all-time greats, and I’m excited to see how he translates that knowledge to running his own program!! Congratulations Chase! Well-deserved.

Marcotops
2 years ago

Not hard to be better than what Hargis was. With that being said, super excited to see what chase can do with Pitt! As an alum, I might actually comeback and visit now.

Holly Lawrence
2 years ago

All these downvotes by salty longhorns 😂😂😂😂

yardfan
Reply to  Holly Lawrence
2 years ago

They know who Kreitler is.

15m
Reply to  yardfan
2 years ago

Is there actually something negative about him? Was thinking of applying to coach with him.

Admin
Reply to  15m
2 years ago

Nobody I talk to has anything bad to say about him.

I think Chase is objectively a nice guy. I’m sure everyone has an opinion about whether that makes him a good coach, but I think there are a lot worse people you could have as your boss in this industry.

Last edited 2 years ago by Braden Keith
Swammer16
Reply to  Braden Keith
2 years ago

Have to imagine Dave already has his person in mind to fill chase’s shoes. It isn’t a head job but has to be one of if not the most desirable assistant job in the nation. Any idea who will be the next great Cal assistant????

Ghost
Reply to  Braden Keith
2 years ago

Chase is great guy and it was a great hire. My question might be can he coach women? He has great experience with Texas men and Cal men….men and women are different and have to be coached differently.

Admin
Reply to  Ghost
2 years ago

I don’t know that for certain, and you raise a good point. If he’s going to be a good coach, learning to deal with that deficiency in his experience is something he’ll have to overcome. Coaching men and coaching women is different. So is coaching Olympians versus mid-major recruits, college versus age group, and Americans versus non-Americans.

Great coaches aren’t ones who say “this is how I coach, deal with it no matter who you are,” great coaches are ones who know how to connect with their athletes in a way that allows them to adapt their coaching to the athletes they have in front of them. That’s especially true in a sport like swimming, which I think has a… Read more »

kiernan Kathleen schindler
Reply to  Braden Keith
2 years ago

It says he was a volunteer coach for stanford women as well

Admin
Reply to  kiernan Kathleen schindler
2 years ago

He was, although I think that was a very short-term appointment. His LinkedIn lists April-May 2018.

oxyswim
2 years ago

Last 3 full time assistant coaches for Durden are now the head coaches at Pitt, Wisconsin, and Stanford. Pretty impressive track record of allowing your assistants enough autonomy to flourish while maintaining a level of excellence throughout.

Probably makes it a little easier for Dave to hire his next assistant.

Last edited 2 years ago by oxyswim
Paula Dean Farris
2 years ago

Congratulations Chase! Pitts getting a good one

Jonti
2 years ago

Welcome to the family Chase!!! HAIL TO PITT!!!

NB1
Reply to  Jonti
2 years ago

downvotes on posts like this are puzzling and depresssing