University of Minnesota Athletics
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Distance Freestyle
/ Men's Swimming & Diving
IM/Butterfly/Breaststroke
/ Women's Swimming & Diving
Minnesota Associate Head Coach Jeff Kostoff Retires from Coaching
7/14/2023 10:12:00 AM | Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving
MINNEAPOLIS – University of Minnesota Swimming and Diving Associate Head Coach Jeff Kostoff has announced his retirement from coaching, the team announced Friday.
Kostoff began his four-year tenure with the Gophers in 2019 and quickly gained the trust and support of his student-athletes at the 'U'. Bringing fresh new training tactics to Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center, countless Gopher swimmers sped their way to new lifetime bests under Kostoff's tutelage.
"Working with the Gophers for these four years has been a tremendous honor," Kostoff said. "I'm forever grateful for all of the student-athletes, fellow coaches, and everyone else who made my time at the 'U' so wonderful. This sport has provided me countless memories that I'll never forget, and I'll carry them with me into my next chapter."
Kelly Kramer – recently named Director of Swimming and Diving – enters his 26th season with the Minnesota Swim and Dive staff, which includes four years with Kostoff.
"Jeff is a wonderful person and coach. While he earned icon status as a swimmer in our sport, I would argue he has meant more to this sport as a coach," said Head Coach Kelly Kremer. "Jeff is kind and caring, and he gave his all for our student athletes. He has touched countless lives. We are going to miss him dearly."
Kostoff also brought a wealth of recruiting experience to Minnesota in his first year with the team, as the Gophers attracted one of their best recruiting classes yet in the 2020 freshman class. Under his guidance, the Maroon & Gold have had seven NCAA champions, 14 Big Ten champions and 24 All-Americans.
Various student athletes and staff members weighed in on Kostoff's positive impact he's had on the Minnesota Swimming and Diving program:
Rising senior Chris Nagy on the impact Kostoff has had on him during his time with the Gophers: "Jeff is one of the most caring, funny, and knowledgeable people you could ever meet. I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to swim for him and learn from him for the past three years," said Nagy. "Jeff is one of the main reasons that I decided to come to Minnesota in the first place, and I will forever be grateful that I did. He created an amazingly welcoming and hardworking training environment that made you want to come to practice every day. I'll never forget the memories I made with Jeff, and I only wish him the best going forward."
Associate Coach for Swimming and Diving Maddy Olson on how Kostoff has been a guiding force for her during their time together: "Jeff has become an incredible mentor to me," Associate Coach Maddy Olson said. "I am very thankful for the time that we got to share a pool deck together. The impact he has made on myself, our student-athletes and the sport of swimming is great."
Two-time All-American and Big Ten Champion Megan Van Berkom on her experience with Kostoff: "Jeff has been an awesome coach and mentor for me. I have learned so much from him and am very grateful for the time I was able to spend training and learning from his expertise in swimming," said Van Berkom. "I will also miss all the home cooked meals, laughter and fun times we have had together with our training group. I wish him all the best in the future."
Kostoff began his four-year tenure with the Gophers in 2019 and quickly gained the trust and support of his student-athletes at the 'U'. Bringing fresh new training tactics to Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center, countless Gopher swimmers sped their way to new lifetime bests under Kostoff's tutelage.
"Working with the Gophers for these four years has been a tremendous honor," Kostoff said. "I'm forever grateful for all of the student-athletes, fellow coaches, and everyone else who made my time at the 'U' so wonderful. This sport has provided me countless memories that I'll never forget, and I'll carry them with me into my next chapter."
Kelly Kramer – recently named Director of Swimming and Diving – enters his 26th season with the Minnesota Swim and Dive staff, which includes four years with Kostoff.
"Jeff is a wonderful person and coach. While he earned icon status as a swimmer in our sport, I would argue he has meant more to this sport as a coach," said Head Coach Kelly Kremer. "Jeff is kind and caring, and he gave his all for our student athletes. He has touched countless lives. We are going to miss him dearly."
Kostoff also brought a wealth of recruiting experience to Minnesota in his first year with the team, as the Gophers attracted one of their best recruiting classes yet in the 2020 freshman class. Under his guidance, the Maroon & Gold have had seven NCAA champions, 14 Big Ten champions and 24 All-Americans.
Various student athletes and staff members weighed in on Kostoff's positive impact he's had on the Minnesota Swimming and Diving program:
Rising senior Chris Nagy on the impact Kostoff has had on him during his time with the Gophers: "Jeff is one of the most caring, funny, and knowledgeable people you could ever meet. I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to swim for him and learn from him for the past three years," said Nagy. "Jeff is one of the main reasons that I decided to come to Minnesota in the first place, and I will forever be grateful that I did. He created an amazingly welcoming and hardworking training environment that made you want to come to practice every day. I'll never forget the memories I made with Jeff, and I only wish him the best going forward."
Associate Coach for Swimming and Diving Maddy Olson on how Kostoff has been a guiding force for her during their time together: "Jeff has become an incredible mentor to me," Associate Coach Maddy Olson said. "I am very thankful for the time that we got to share a pool deck together. The impact he has made on myself, our student-athletes and the sport of swimming is great."
Two-time All-American and Big Ten Champion Megan Van Berkom on her experience with Kostoff: "Jeff has been an awesome coach and mentor for me. I have learned so much from him and am very grateful for the time I was able to spend training and learning from his expertise in swimming," said Van Berkom. "I will also miss all the home cooked meals, laughter and fun times we have had together with our training group. I wish him all the best in the future."
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