Pitt alumni leaders have been in contact with leadership of the athletic department after head coach Chase Kreitler resigned last week, effective immediately. In a letter written to the Pitt swimming and diving community, alumni leadership has said that “University leadership has reaffirmed its commitment to continuing the Swim & Dive program.”
Kreitler said in his resignation letter he sent to SwimSwam that the “department intends to move in a different strategic direction after the 2026–2027 season.” Athletes sat in a meeting with Athletic Director Allen Greene on Monday, some saying they “left with no real answers.” At least seven athletes have entered the transfer portal this week.
The Pitt women are coming off of their highest finish ever at the NCAA level as the women were tied for 16th at 2026 NCAAs. The men are also coming off of a historic finish as the team was 20th, their highest finish in 73 years.
Other highlights to the letter include that there is no plan to close, demolish, or repurpose the swimming and diving facility Trees Hall, and that the search for a new head coach is underway.
No job posting can be found at this time for the next head coach, but an assistant coaching position was posted on April 25th as Michael Kinross departed the program to join Malaysia Aquatics.
Read The Full Letter Here
Bill Pierce, one of the authors of the document, told SwimSwam, “We did not create this document at the request of or in cooperation of the AD or other Pitt offices. We have been in contact with them once we heard the news about Chase resigning. We have also met with and been in contact with Chase. Our sole goal is to preserve the program and to see it continue with the success Chase brought to the program.”
Pierce also told SwimSwam that alumni are aware of the need to be involved. No specific number has been given as a fundraising target. There has been a swim and dive championship fund that people donate to that helps fund short term needs for the team. Pierce said, “The alum continue to be focused on supporting current athletes and the future of the program. We hope this leads to continued success and even more alum involvement with the program.”
Pitt Alums have been amazingly supportive. The team is blessed to have such an involved community that cares deeply about the future of these athletes not only in their sport but in their future careers. Even with all the churn, I find it hard to believe their is a better place for my athlete to be thanks to a culture that the alums have played a big part in maintaining through many AD and coach transitions.
Programs that produce elite swimmers but lack money will inevitably become farm teams for schools that are willing to pay up. Would be frustrating to be a coach in such an environment.
Unfortunately chase had offered to raise money and the AD didn’t go for it so why are they now? Ridiculous to watch such an outstanding program go understand because the coach felt he needed to resign to be fair to future Pitt swimmers.
Seems like the ‘fundraising’ momentum never really takes hold/is allowed to take hold until after it’s too late.
My opinion, FWIW, is yes the alumni/ae need to be actively involved AND they should open discussion(s) with “Friends of Tribe Swimming”, the College of WiIliam and Mary group(https://www.friendsoftribeswimming.com/) that formed when they were threatened with closure by a “former” AD. If they have already: BRAVO, BRAVISSIMO. Never ever trust the administration, especially one that shuttered another DI swim program and has given inadequate answers to the athletes.
A different strategic direction from successful. Hmmm.
It’s going to be real hard to come back from this and I’m not sure this damage control is going to help. The swimmers themselves said they didn’t get real answers so it will take more than vaguely worded expressions of support to stem the exodus. Hope they hire a new coach soon and show a commitment to the program at the same level as before.
To outside individuals I can understand that perspective. To people close, these Alumni are important pillars of the Pitt Swimming community. The fact that they are confident makes us confident.
This is fooling exactly nobody lol.
Id be willing to bet every program that was cut in the last ~5 years had a similar statement put out by leadership.
A sugar/honey Momma who has assets of over 4.4 Billion just might step up to the plate and richly endow this program…BUT then again NOT!