Karissa Kruszewski joined the University of Kentucky as an associate coach of the men’s and women’s swimming and diving program.
Kruszewski’s hiring was announced earlier this week, and her position marks an expansion of the coaching staff.
“I am excited to be a part of the University of Kentucky swimming and diving programs!” Kruszewski said. “I have great respect for the work being done here under Bret [Lundgaard] and want to thank him and all those involved for this opportunity. I’m eager to contribute to both teams’ pursuit of greatness and excellence on the SEC, NCAA and international scene.”
Kruszewski comes to Kentucky from the UCLA Bruins, where she served as a women’s assistant coach beginning in 2019 before becoming associate head coach in the fall of 2022. She held a brief stint as acting head coach from Feb. 2024 to Aug. 2024 while the Bruins’ coaching staff underwent changes.
During her time at UCLA, the Bruins finished in the top four at the Pac-12 Championships for five straight seasons and placed 7th at the Big Ten Conference Championships this past season. The team also saw its highest finish at the NCAA Division I Championships since 2017, placing 22nd at the 2022 competition.
Prior to joining UCLA, Kruszewski spent three seasons at UNLV from 2016 to 2019, working with middle distance and distance swimmers and serving as the program’s recruiting coordinator.
Kruszewski kicked off her coaching career as the head coach for both the girl’s swimming program at Oregon High School and the men’s swimming program at Stoughton High School in Wisconsin. She held those roles from 2013-2015, before transitioning to college coaching at Cal State East Bay, where she was the assistant coach, recruiting coordinator and academic supervisor from 2015-2016.
After spending one year at UC Irvine, Kruszewski transferred to the University of Wisconsin, where she was a three-year letter winner and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2013. She went on to earn an M.S. in organizational change leadership from the school in 2020.
Kentucky head coach Bret Lundgaard expressed his excitement to have Kruszewski joining the Wildcats’ program.
“I’m grateful to have her expertise, passion and leadership on our staff,” Lundgaard said. “I’m confident our student-athletes will benefit from their partnership with her and appreciate her care for them as people, students and athletes.”
The newest addition to Kentucky’s staff, the Wildcats now boast a coaching staff of seven. Kruszewski joins Lundgaard (head swimming and diving coach), Ted Hautau (head diving coach), Caitlin Hamilton (associate coach), Jordan Lieberman (associate coach), Ivan Sanchez (assistant coach) and Claire Kieffer-Wright (director of operations).
So she left an associate head position for just an associate? What’s the hierarchy at UK? They don’t seem to have an associate head coach position.
Also strange to leave a program that had more points and qualifiers at NCAA’s.
So did she lie on her resume or did Kentucky give her credit for the role Tracy assumed when Jordan was out on maternity/administrative leave?
She was interim head coach, Tracy was there for a very short period of time as additional support.
As someone who was on the team during that time, I can say firsthand that Karissa did not lie on her resume. While we’re grateful for everything Tracy contributed during our conference meet, she served in an assistant capacity. It was Karissa who stepped up and took on the responsibilities of head coach—a role she was fully prepared for and handled exceptionally well, from the lead-up to conference through the postseason in spring. The recognition she received from Kentucky was well deserved, and in truth, her resume doesn’t fully reflect all she did for the team during the 2024–25 season and this current season, especially with how often she stepped up when Jordan had family obligations. She deserves full recognition… Read more »
As someone who was on the team during that time, I can say firsthand that Karissa did not lie on her resume. While we’re grateful for everything Tracy contributed during our conference meet, she served in an assistant capacity. It was Karissa who stepped up and took on the responsibilities of head coach—a role she was fully prepared for and handled exceptionally well, from the lead-up to conference through the postseason in spring. The recognition she received from Kentucky was well deserved, and in truth, her resume doesn’t fully reflect all she did for the team during the 2024-25 season and this current season, especially with how often she stepped up when Jordan had family obligations. She deserves full recognition… Read more »
Tracy Slusser was not hired as the interim head coach, she was hired as “temporary assistant swimming coach.”
https://swimswam.com/ucla-brings-tracy-slusser-in-as-temporary-assistant-during-head-coachs-maternity-leave/
Big addition for Kentucky! Karissa has terrific energy and is a great coach. Her athletes seem to adore her.
Terrific addition for the Cats! This seems like a great hire.
Huge pick up for Kentucky! Truly one of the best and doesn’t get nearly enough credit for the accomplishments of the athletes she was the primary coach of – WUGs silver medal, NCAA and Olympic Trial finalists. Congrats!