Legendary Yale Coach Frank Keefe Returns to NCAA as Villanova Volunteer

Frank Keefe, who built his name on 32 years as the head coach of the Yale Bulldogs until 2010, has found his way back into the college ranks. On Wednesday, Villanova head coach Rick Simpson announced that Keefe is joining his staff as a volunteer assistant.

In his run at Yale, Keefe was a two-time Eastern Intercollegiate Swim League Coach of the Year and led the Yale men to an Ivy League title in the ’91-’92 season. He further served as an assistant coach on the U.S. Olympic Team in 1984 and the head coach of the 1988 U.S. Olympic Team. He was also the head coach of a pair of U.S. Pan Am Games teams and the 1978 World Championships team.

Even before his time at Yale, he coached high-level swimmers, including Olympic gold medalist Carl Robie and Olympic silver medalist Tim McKee, and coached at the Omni Swim Club that he founded in New Haven, Connecticut.

Keefe returns to his alma mater Villanova, where he is a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame.

Villanova will begin its first year in the “new Big East” Conference in 2013-2014, where they will be the favorites to win the women’s crown, and should battle Seton Hall for the men’s title.

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marty sutton
8 years ago

I like the sound of Frank Keefe and am happy he is back coaching at Villanova. If someone would pass this message along to Frank, please do so. I swam with Frank at Mercersburg Academy in 1955-56. I remember him as a great backstroker, a great guy, and one of the so-called “Senators,” in Princeton ’88 dorm. Please also tell Frank that I am still swimming backstroke five mornings a week, somewhat in the old Mercersburg tradition. Regards, Marty Sutton, Mercersburg ’56 I’m at [email protected].

Frank keefe
10 years ago

Take this for what it’s worth? Gold medalist, world record holder The
Late Carl Robie was coached by many coaches in the Philadelphia area, he made us good coaches and we appreciate having the opportunity to work with such a great person. Coach GB former World Record holder and recipient of more bronze Olympic medals ever is the real historian.
Coaches are only as good as the athletes we have worked with. It’s a great profession, but don’t over evaluate who you really are. The best coaches are not known, they are the ones who taught basics.

Al LaPrino
10 years ago

I know exactly who COACHGB is – another Hall of Famer, world record holder, NCAA Division 1 Coach, curmudgeon and most famously, one of “the 3 musketeers”.

CoachGB
10 years ago

Get it right. Carl Robie was Suburban SC 1968 Gold 200 Fly and Silver 1964 Vesper Boat Club. Phil long 68, Tim McKee 72and76 and Brenda Borgh 76 were Suburban and then Foxcatcher in Middle Atlantic Swimming the Phila. Region LSC with at least one Olympian in every Olympiad since 1960. Frank went to Yale in the fall of 78. Before Yale he already was Head women’s Pan-Am 75, head coach US-East German dual meet 77 and World Champ Staff as coach 1978 Berlin. Then we have his great career at Yale with the fabulous 3rd floor 50 meter pool in its’s heyday with Nat AAU’s and NCAA’s in 56 where the 1500 was LC only time ever.

Billy
Reply to  CoachGB
10 years ago

You tell em’ coach!

McKee, Robie and all the rest swam for Suburban Swim Club in Newton Square (I think that’s right) PA. None of them ever swam at Omni in New Haven.

Al LaPrino
Reply to  Billy
10 years ago

And Foxcatcher along with Jagenburg, Long, Bartle x 2, Borgh, Reino, Breedy, Bartlett (Mr. Borgh), Bauman, Brodell, Countryman, Gavin x 2, Jaime Taylor and many many more. Many Olympians, Pan Am and World Championship Medalists, NCAA Champions and multiple time USA National Team members on this list! One of our greatest coaches and this, one of his greatest teams!

Craig
10 years ago

Frank is a national treasure and great person. Villanova is very fortunate to have him on deck. The Villanova kids just got a great gift.

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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