Dan Kesler is in his second season as head women’s swimming coach.
Coach Kesler comes to Utah Tech after two years as associate head men’s and women’s swimming coach at Florida State. While at FSU, he worked with the middle distance and stroke groups, and helped lead both Seminole programs to fifth-place finishes at the ACC Championships last spring.
Prior to his time in Tallahassee, he had a seven-year stint as an assistant coach at Arizona State (2012-19), where he worked with the distance and middle distance groups while serving as the recruiting coordinator. Kesler spent his final four years working under FSU alum Bob Bowman – who is best known for coaching the most decorated Olympian of all-time, Michael Phelps.
Kesler began his collegiate coaching career at Division II Wingate University, at which he served five years as the top assistant men’s and women’s swimming coach overseeing the mid-distance and distance swimmers. Kesler also served on the NCAA D-II top-25 poll selection committee for the 2011-2012 season. While at Wingate, he helped lead the men’s team to five-straight Bluegrass Mountain Conference championship titles, and to several top-six finishes at the NCAA Division II national championship meets.
Following a stellar high school career, Kesler swam collegiately at North Carolina State from 2000-03, where he served as team captain as a junior and was an ACC finalist in the distance events.
A native of Westminster, Md., Kesler was also a 2000 Olympic Trials qualifier while representing Green Terror (MD) Aquatic Club.
What others are saying about Coach Kesler:
"Dan is passionate about our sport, he lives and breathes it. He cares deeply about his student-athletes. I am sure he will make a great head coach." - Neal Studd, Florida State Head M/W Swimming Coach
"Dan Kesler is one of the best people I know and an outstanding coach. His desire to learn and grow are well matched with his tireless enthusiasm and passion for passion for the job. He will do great things [in his new role]!" - Bob Bowman, Arizona State Head M/W Swimming Coach
"[Utah Tech] and the Women's Swimming Team is getting a hard-working, passionate, and driven swimming professional. Dan's infectious personality, along with his natural love of the sport, will have the team eager to grow and learn from one of the best in the business. His desire to help his student-athletes become better in all aspects of life will garner results from day one." - Kirk Sanocki, Wingate University Head M/W Swimming Coach
