After Two Decades, Kansas Assistant Coach Jen Betz Departs The Women’s Swimming Program

The University of Kansas Women’s Swimming and Diving Program announced the retirement of longtime assistant coach Jen Betz on Monday, July 28.

Betz has been associated with the Jayhawks since 1996, when she began her collegiate career with the program. Following her swimming career, she served as a student assistant under then-head coach Cathy Burgess during the 2000-01 season.

After graduation, the Mansfield, Ohio native joined Athletes in Action, a Christian sports organization. She was then placed at the University of Virginia as a volunteer assistant with both swimming programs under then-head coach Mark Bernardino. Both teams achieved top-10 NCAA rankings in 2003. She returned to Kansas later that year and has served as an assistant coach since 2003.

“Coach Jen has truly made an impact on the Jayhawk Swim and Dive program,” said head coach Clark Campbell in the university’s press release. “First as an athlete, then coming back as a coach for the last 22 years, she has seen the program grow to new levels of excellence because of her many contributions. Jen is truly a Jayhawk, and her love of the program has made us better. We are fortunate for all the good she poured into all who were or are part of our team.”

Over the past decade, Betz has helped guide the Jayhawks to seven second-place finishes at the Big 12 Conference Championships. She also played a key role in training Chelsie Miller, who became an NCAA All-American in 2016 when she took 8th in the 400 IM at the NCAA Championships.

Betz was nationally recognized in 2016 when she was named a finalist for College Swimming’s Assistant Coach of the Year Award.

Beyond her assistant coaching duties, Betz has contributed to the team in multiple areas, including team operations, leading recruiting efforts, organizing alumni events, and managing Kansas Swim and Dive camps.

“Being a part of KU Athletics is something that I will always treasure and always be proud of. The traditions, loyalty, and family-like feeling were not only present among KU Swimming and Diving, but throughout the entire Athletic Department and University; that’s what drew me here as a student-athlete in 1996,” said Betz.

“Coaching at my alma mater has been a dream come true. I’ve loved building relationships, watching our student athletes grow, and proudly representing the Jayhawks everywhere I went. I’m so grateful to Clark for taking a chance on me 22 years ago, and to everyone who supported me along the way. As the saying goes, Once a Jayhawk, Always a Jayhawk. Rock Chalk Forever!”