CORAL GABLES, Florida, June 21. ANDY Kershaw has been named the head coach of the University of Miami swimming program, Director of Athletics Blake James announced Friday.
“I want to thank Blake and [Senior Associate Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator] Jennifer Strawley for giving me this opportunity,” Kershaw said. “It has been obvious during this process that they are building a great department that is motivated to provide a great experience for the student-athletes, alumni and fans. While they are determined to succeed at the highest level, it is apparent that their dedication to the Miami student-athletes goes far beyond the athletic arena.”
Kershaw joins the Hurricanes after spending the past 10 years with Southern Methodist University. After seven years as an assistant coach, Kershaw served as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for his final three seasons with the Mustangs.
“We are excited that Andy has decided to join the Hurricane family,” James said. “Based on his prior coaching experience, both on the collegiate and international stage with U.S. Swimming, we think we have found the perfect person to continue to raise our program among the nation's elite.”
In addition to his work at SMU, Kershaw has been a force for U.S. Swimming as head manager. He served in the role for the 2012 Summer Olympics (London), the 2011 World Championships (Shanghai), the 2010 Pan Pacific Games (Irvine, Calif.) and the 2009 Duel in the Pool (Manchester, U.K.). Prior to his time with U.S. Swimming, he served as an assistant coach for the Slovenian national swimming team from 2004-06.
“I think he is an incredible person,” said Teri McKeever, who served as head coach of the U.S. women's swimming team for the London Olympics. “He is very people-oriented, a great communicator, proactive and very driven. Andy is committed to the sport and to developing young people.”
During his time at SMU, Kershaw coached 79 NCAA All-Americans and helped the Mustangs finish in the top 25 in the country six times. The Mustangs had six Conference USA Swimmers of the Year and 35 NCAA Academic All-Americans under his watch. In 2012, Kershaw was recognized as Honorable Mention NCAA Assistant Coach of the Year by collegeswimming.com.
“I am eager to work with the women that make up the Miami swimming program, and partner with Coach Randy Ableman to build on the tradition of success that has been established at The U,” Kershaw said. “We will be focused on extending that success at both the NCAA and the ACC levels.”
Kershaw's coaching career began as a student assistant for the men's and women's team at Ohio and continued in that role until 1998, when he became the graduate assistant for the 1998-1999 seasons. In 1999 he was hired as the head assistant coach for both programs, a role he served until 2003. As the assistant, he was primarily responsible for the distance group and oversaw the organization of the recruiting efforts. During his four years as the assistant, Kershaw helped lead the women's team to back-to-back Mid-American Team Championships, while guiding two Ohio swimmers to NCAA All-America performances.
A native of Mansfield, Ohio, Kershaw earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in athletic administration from Ohio University. Kershaw and his wife Elizabeth have one daughter, Emma. “Miami provides a tremendous combination of elite academics and student-athlete support in an environment that is perfect for swimming success,” Kershaw said. “That combination should attract the top young swimmers from Florida, the US, and across the globe, and I look forward to working with them.”
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