Yale Names Olympian Jacob Pebley Assistant Coach
Olympian Jacob Pebley has been named an assistant coach at Yale University, the school announced on Thursday.
Pebley spent the last year as a coach at Bulldog Swimming Club in New Haven. He also was the head age-group coach at North Coast Aquatics in Northern California and co-founded Back 2 Back Swim Camp for Olympic-level training.
“It is a great honor to have this opportunity to join the Yale coaching staff and begin to contribute to a program with such a rich history of excellence both in the pool and in the classroom,” Pebley said in a university statement. “My passion for this sport lives in the relentless, daily pursuit of personal growth and how we can become better athletes and people. I am so excited to begin working with this team in the upcoming season.”
Pebley’s career reached its apex when he qualified for the 200 backstroke at the Rio Olympics in 2016. He finished fifth in the Olympic final. He pulled out of Olympic Trials in 2021 citing his mental health.
A standout at the University of California, he was a 12-time All-American. The Golden Bears captured the 2014 NCAA Championship with Pebley a significant contributor. He made the U.S. national team for nine years and won three national championships. He won the 200 back at the 2015 World University Games, one of five medals over three installments of that meet. He has four career World Championships medals, including bronze in the 200 back at the 2017 long-course worlds. He won silver in the 200 back and gold in the 800 free relay at short-course worlds in 2016.
“Jacob is a highly accomplished swimmer, having represented the United States in international competitions such as the Olympics and World Championships. His experience as a competitive athlete will undoubtedly benefit our team, as he brings a deep understanding of the sport and the dedication required to succeed at the highest level,” said Jim Henry, the Robert J.H. Kiphuth Head Coach of Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving. “In addition, Jacob has established himself as a coach, demonstrating a passion for helping others reach their full potential in the pool. His unique perspective as both an athlete and coach will undoubtedly provide valuable insights and guidance to our student athletes.”
Pebley graduated from Cal in 2017 with a degree in psychology. He co-founded Swimmers for Change in 2020, an organization aimed at lessening racial and social disparities in swimming.
Pebley joins the staff of coach Jim Henry, who late last month also hired Dana Grindall. Grindall served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Colgate for three years, focusing on the sprint group. She is a former standout at the University of Wisconsin, an All-Big Ten performer and two-time Olympic Trials qualifier who grew up in Connecticut.
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