Olympian and former Stanford University assistant coach Jeff Kostoff is heading to the University of Minnesota to become the combined-gender program’s associate head coach under Kelly Kremer, the school announced Monday.
Kostoff will officially assume his new position on Aug. 30, according to the press release.
“We are very fortunate to add Jeff to our staff. Jeff is an experienced and exceptional coach, and by all accounts an even better person,” Kremer said. “We are looking forward to having him on deck and getting started on this new season.”
Kostoff, known primarily for his work with distance swimmers, spent the last three seasons as Ted Knapp‘s assistant in Palo Alto. Knapp retired after 35 years with the program following the 2018-2019 season, and new head coach Dan Schemmel brought in Wisconsin’s Neil Caskey as his assistant. Under Kostoff’s watch, the Cardinal won the 2017 Pac-12 title, and Abrahm DeVine became the program’s first national champion since 2014.
Prior to Stanford, Kostoff was an assistant under Ray Looze at Indiana University from 2013-2016, where he worked with U.S. National Team-ers Zane Grothe and Lindsay Vrooman. Kostoff also spent four years as an assistant at the University of Maryland, and nine years in the club coaching scene from 1991-1999.
In his own swimming career, Kostoff was a five-time NCAA champion for Stanford (class of 1987) and two-time Olympian; he set 12 American records from 1982-86.
wpDiscuz
He’s got a great smile, obviously happy about the move. Congratulations Jeff!
Leaving California for Minnesota? yeah, REAL happy….
He’ll be able to afford a house.
Actually Minnesota is a fairly decent place. I think the cost of living decrease and promotion will more than make up for the cold winters.
I still remember his 4:16 500. That swim was other worldly.
In HS!
His high school record lasted for years and years
Upland’s Finest
Yes, his public school record in the 500 only fell six months ago: https://swimswam.com/jake-magahey-breaks-oldest-national-hs-yards-record-in-500-free/ And no high school swimmer went faster in the 500 until Jack Conger did in 2013.
Several high school age swimmers swam faster than that record before Jake Magahey…just not at a high school meet. High school records are pretty deceiving for that reason.
Stanford messed up