Pitt head swimming and diving coach Chase Kreitler has resigned from his position, effective immediately. Both the men’s and women’s programs are coming off of historic seasons, with the women having their highest finish in history at NCAAs while the men had their highest finish in 73 years.
Kreitler wrote:
“Four years ago, when I joined the University of Pittsburgh, my vision was to build a powerhouse swimming and diving program where student-athletes could receive a world-class education and pursue any dream in our sport. This past season, we saw the results of that work. Our women’s team earned the highest NCAA finish in program history (T-16th) after going four years without an individual NCAA swimming qualifier prior to 2022. Our men’s team recorded its highest NCAA finish in 73 years (20th). The women’s team also showed a remarkable ACC Championship progression—finishing 11th, 10th, 8th, and 6th—despite the addition of three new teams in 2024. Over these four years, we also had athletes qualify for the World Championships, World University Games and the U.S. Olympic Trials.
More meaningful than any result has been the personal growth of our student-athletes, the transformation of our team culture, and the success of our graduates. Academic achievement has been exceptional, with many going on to prestigious graduate programs or entering the workforce well prepared. I am especially proud of the culture we built together—one grounded in integrity, servant leadership, selflessness, and gratitude.
As I entered the final year of my contract, my hope was to continue building on this momentum through a multi-year extension. I was recently informed that the department intends to move in a different strategic direction after the 2026–2027 season. While I was offered the opportunity to coach one more year, I do not believe I could operate in integrity continuing to recruit transfers and incoming student-athletes knowing I would not be part of their journey beyond next season. Therefore, I have decided to resign from my position as the Head Swimming & Diving Coach at Pitt, effective immediately.
This has been an incredibly difficult decision for my family and me. We love this team, our staff, the University, and the city of Pittsburgh. I am deeply grateful to our student-athletes—your trust, effort, and belief in what we were building are the reasons we climbed so far, so fast. Thank you also to our coaching and support staff, our parent group, and our alumni, whose unwavering support has been the backbone of this program.
As college athletics continues to evolve—through the House settlement, growing financial pressures, and so much uncertainty—I hope this moment serves as a rallying cry for Olympic sports student-athletes and alumni everywhere. Your voice and involvement has never mattered more.
Pitt Swimming & Diving holds a special place in my heart. I will always be proud of what we built together.
H2P!”
Kreitler arrived at Pitt in summer 2022 after previously spending time as assistant coach at Cal. This past season was the 4th season under Kreitler’s guidance.
Although SwimSwam has not received specific details on Kreitler’s salary, at the time of hiring, it was expected that Kreitler’s salary would be ~$175,000. Pitt’s athletics department notably ran a $47 million deficit in fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024- June 30, 2025).
Since Kreitler was hired, Pitt has changed its athletic director as Allen Greene joined the Panthers in November 2024. Greene had previous stops as Director of Athletics at Auburn from 2018-2022 as well as Director of Athletics at Buffalo from 2015-2018. During his time at Buffalo, the men’s swimming program was cut.
The head coaching carousel has been relatively quiet this offseason with the only Power 4 head coaching position change being at Cincinnati, but that already being filled with Joey Ferreri being elevated to head coach. Kreitler told SwimSwam, “I absolutely plan to stay in coaching. I do not have a job lined up at the moment.”
Greene tried to cut swim at Auburn as well. Bit by bit, he is trying to squeeze out college swimming.
over 200 comments on this article.
I don’t understand how people can immediately place blame on an AD without knowing the full story. From my time on the team, there were ongoing conflicts that were brought to athletics, and I’m sure those situations only built up over time. After I transferred, I later found out he had contacted my new coach and spoke negatively about me. I knew better than to tell Chase where I was looking but to hear that from my new coach was surprising and, honestly, inappropriate on chases part. If my new school had acted on those comments, I would have absolutely taken it to Pitt athletics. Fortunately, my new coach knew me well enough to recognize that what was said didn’t… Read more »
Bro, if a person breaks the team rules, there are consequences for it. It looks like all you got was your new coach being warned about your poor behavior. Good for Chase. He’s looking out for the future of your new program.
Looks like some Pitt swimmers are entering the Transfer portal due to the coaching change
Honestly, whenever there’s a coaching change, every swimmer should enter the transfer portal. You don’t have to leave, but like…make sure you have the opportunity to do so if you don’t like the new coach.
I met Chase when my son went on his visit to Texas..I was very impressed with him and his demeanor on deck, working with Eddie as a volunteer coach. Best of luck, any university will be lucky to have him!
Koch leaving for fertile farmland found in TN, Chase leaving for stable coaching position and Pitt does what Pitt does. It is really quite good on all fronts.
This amazing coach will land in a great spot!
Collegiate Swim/Dive is circling the drain at an increasing rate – suspect before 2030 there will be no NCAA supported swimming programs…it will all be club.
And what is it exactly that “Pitt does.” This is nowhere near being quite good on all fronts. Have some empathy and think before you speak, please.
I think he was alluding to Pitt doing what they do best, sucking at their revenue generating sports, men’s BB and FB.
Please avoid heights and sharp implements…
Allen Greene does not care about swimming
What Allen Greene did to Auburn swimming was pornographic. He is the worst Athletic Director I have ever known and I have known a few. I feel for Pitt athletics, particularly swimming.
But the thing is…at this point, university presidents know who he is and what he does.
And Pitt still hired him.
Pitt was unhappy with the previous AD. She was building successful programs – in the ‘wrong’ sports, and they were spending lots of money to do it. Basketball team and football team both had a couple of good years during her tenure, but when they let her go, both teams weren’t doing great.
So they hired a guy to do something different. And he’s giving the university administration what they wanted, I guess.
Can anyone explain what an “Associate Head Coach” does?
Probably different responsibilities across the board, depending on the HC. Usually a more senior person and probably a way to keep someone by giving them more to do and a pay raise.
Same as the other coaches, maybe 1-2 more tasks they’re responsible for. The biggest different is you get paid more with ‘Associate’ as your title. It’s 95% for the title.
You’re the head coach « in waiting » or in your first year…. Similar to a probationary period.