Kevin Steel Hired as Assistant Coach at Rutgers

Kevin Steel sets a new US Open record as he wins the 50 breaststroke.

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Kevin Steel Hired as Assistant Coach at Rutgers

Rutgers on Wednesday announced the hiring of Kevin Steel, the former U.S. Open record holder in the men’s 50-meter breaststroke.

Steel arrives in Piscataway after spending last year as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Virginia. His previous stops include Division III power Kenyon College and his alma mater, the University of Arizona.

“I feel blessed to have someone of Kevin’s coaching pedigree believe in what we are doing here at Rutgers,” Rutgers head coach Jon Maccoll said in a university press release. “He’s a Jersey guy coming home from coaching at the University of Virginia and a former swimmer at the University of Arizona. I believe Kevin will have an immediate and positive impact on our women here at Rutgers.”

Big Ten Swimming

Steel was a two-time All-American and the runner-up in the 100 breast at NCAAs in 2013. He won a national title in the 50 breast that summer and set two U.S. Open records in his signature event.

He’s got a winning pedigree as a coach, as part of the staff for the NCAA champion Cavaliers women’s team last year and the Kenyon women’s D3 championships in 2022. He served as a strength and conditioning coach for the Owls, working with the sprint groups.

Steel is a native of Moorestown, N.J. He graduated with a degree in biochemistry from Arizona. He returned to Tucson as a volunteer assistant coach and an intern in the Olympic Sports Weight Room, working with the training staff in multiple sports, including swimming.

Steel swam at U.S. Olympic Trials in 2012 and 2016. He swam at the World Championships in 2013, finishing 12th in the 50 breast.

Rutgers is coming off its highest score ever at the Big Ten Championships, achieving 24 NCAA B cuts and zone scores. They reached the Big Ten podium six times.

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