Chase Kreitler, who was named as head coach in April 2022, brings to Pitt a sparkling championship resume following a highly accomplished four-year tenure as a men’s assistant at Cal under six-time National Coach of the Year David Durden.
During that span, the Golden Bears won two NCAA Championships (2022 and 2019) and finished as the 2021 national runner-up. Cal also dominated the ultra-competitive Pac-12, winning the conference championship each year.
Under Kreitler’s influence, Cal student-athletes achieved 184 All-America swims, 14 NCAA titles (nine individual and five relay) and 54 Pac-12 championships (38 individual and 16 relay).
Kreitler, a U.S. National Team coach each year since 2018, also has a lengthy list of pupils who are accomplished at the international level. He worked with seven 2020 Olympians, including Ryan Murphy, who won Gold (400 medley relay), Silver (200 backstroke) and Bronze (100 backstroke) in Tokyo, and Tom Shields, who also won Gold as part of the 400 medley relay.
Another competitor at those Tokyo Olympics, Andrew Seliskar, was the 2019 NCAA Swimmer of the Year and 2018 USA National Champion in the 200 freestyle. Seliskar finished his Cal career as a three-time NCAA champion (200 individual medley, 200 freestyle and 200 breaststroke).
Kreitler’s additional international experience includes assistant coach appointments at the World University Games (2019) and Pan Pacific Championships (2018).
Prior to California, Kreitler was a volunteer assistant coach for the women’s swimming and diving team at Stanford (2018), serving under head coach Greg Meehan, who led the United States women’s Olympic team in 2020, and associate head coach Tracy Slusser. While at Stanford he had the opportunity to assist in coaching Olympic Gold Medalists Katie Ledecky and Simone Manuel, two-time Olympic Medalist Lia Neal as well as NCAA champion Ella Eastin.
Kreitler spent two seasons (2016-18) as the men’s volunteer assistant at Texas, working for the legendary Eddie Reese, a three-time Olympic head coach who led the Longhorns to 15 NCAA titles. Texas won consecutive NCAA team championships in Kreitler’s two seasons in Austin as the Longhorns’ swimmers compiled 14 national titles (10 individual and four relays), eight NCAA records and seven American records.
Kreitler served as an assistant coach at Louisiana State University for three seasons (2013-16). He oversaw the development of seven swimmers who set LSU records and helped increase the Tigers’ number of Olympic Trials qualifiers from seven in 2012 to 17 in 2016.
From 2011-13, Kreitler was an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan University, helping the men’s team win consecutive Mid-American Conference (MAC) titles. The men’s and women’s programs combined to break 20 team records during his tenure. In both seasons at EMU, Brianna Emig and Jacob Hanson were NCAA qualifiers. Hanson placed fourth in the 200 backstroke at the 2013 NCAA Championships.
While in Ypsilanti, Kreitler coached for Club Wolverine, a nationally accomplished USA Swimming program that captured the 2013 Central Zone Sectional championship.
Kreitler’s initial coaching appointment came at California State University, Bakersfield—his alma mater—where he was an assistant coach for two seasons (2009-11). The Roadrunners won the 2011 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championship, their first Division I conference title.
A four-year swimmer at CSU Bakersfield (2005-09), Kreitler was elected a team captain his senior year.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science from California State University, Bakersfield in 2010 and his master’s degree in exercise physiology from Eastern Michigan in 2014.
Kreitler and his wife Liz have a son, John Daniel, who was born in February. The family includes their beloved dog, Jazz.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT KREITLER:
“Everyone associated with California men’s swimming and diving–our coaches, staff, student-athletes, parents and alumni–could not be happier for Chase, Liz and JD. Chase was fantastic for our program, and his impact on our athletes during his time in Berkeley cannot be overstated. We look forward to his continued success at Pittsburgh.”
—David Durden, California Men’s Swimming and Diving Head Coach and Six-Time National Coach of the Year
“I’m really excited for Chase to have the opportunity to take Pitt to the next level. Chase is the one of the most thoughtful coaches I have ever met. He is a constant learner and seeks improvement for his athletes. It was a joy to work with Chase these past four years, even when he put me through some very challenging practices. Chase will be a lifelong friend and mentor!”
—Ryan Murphy, 8-Time NCAA Champion, 4-Time Olympic Gold Medalist
“Chase entered my swimming career in 2018 and made an immediate impact on my life as soon as he stepped onto the deck. We had the clear mission to begin working on my freestyle technique, and Chase immediately took charge in challenging me to expect more from myself every day in practice. Learning from Chase changed my swimming career forever. Every accomplishment I had in the sport came in part through working day-in and day-out with him. Without Chase, I don’t think I would have had the opportunity to represent the United States at the Olympics. I know I never would have risen to the level of swimmer, or become the man I am today, without mentorship from Chase. I am sad to see Chase leave my home team Cal, but I’m beyond proud of him for assuming leadership at Pitt. His passion for the sport, enthusiasm for his athletes and dedication to his team helped me become a better person in and out of the pool. Thank you, Chase, for having faith in me and sharing a vision to go beyond myself as an athlete.”
—Andrew Seliskar, 3-Time NCAA Champion, 2019 NCAA Swimmer of the Year and 2020 Olympian
“The first time I swam under Chase was actually during my time training at Texas for a couple of weeks back in 2018, when I got to see how beloved he was by everyone on the men’s and women’s teams alike.
The same impact he had on his previous swimmers was soon felt at Stanford. His dedication to his athletes and the sport were evident in the things he’d do, like follow me up and down the pool deck cheering me on in a set when I needed it most—a meaningful moment that has remained with me. He brought his energy, spirit and joy to the pool deck every day. Though it was a short time that I was able to work with him, he reinvigorated swimming for me. And, of course, to no surprise as a coach of his caliber, he was shortly scooped up by Cal which unfortunately but understandably cut his time short at Stanford. Pitt is so lucky to have Chase lead its program and is bound to have a bright future ahead.”
—Lia Neal, 2-Time Olympic Medalist, 9-Time NCAA Champion, 26-Time All-American
“Chase was my coach for over two years at the University of Texas as our volunteer assistant. In his position I have never had a coach with such an impact on me and my personal life. Chase has never been short on energy, compassion, commitment and driving others to be their best. He is the kind of coach, man, father and husband I strive to be one day. He truly cares about his athletes in and out of the pool. Through his interactions with others, there are endless possibilities to learn from Chase. Everyone has that one teacher, coach or mentor that has had a lasting impact on their life—this is Chase.”
—John Shebat, 5-Time NCAA Champion and 16-Time All-American
