Staff Directory
Kesler, Dan
Dan Kesler
- Title:
- Associate Head Coach
- Email:
In the summer of 2023, coach Dan Kesler returned to Raleigh to help lead the Wolfpack swim teams in their continued quest for excellence on the NCAA and international levels. Multiple athletes under Kesler’s guidance achieved lifetime bests and first-time accomplishments in the pool, highlighted by Kyle Ponsler’s school record and NCAA consolation finalist appearance in the 400 IM. Later in the summer of 2024, Ponsler placed sixth at the 2024 USA Olympic Trials.
Kesler spent two years as head coach at Utah Tech prior to his arrival to NC State. During his tenure at Utah Tech, all school records were broken. He was voted Coach of the Year for the WAC, a first-time accomplishment for the university across all sports. He coached the 2023 WAC Swimmer of the Year and developed the first WAC champion in Utah Tech history.
Kesler spent two years as associate head men’s and women’s swimming coach at Florida State. While at FSU, he worked with the middle-distance and stroke groups, helping lead both Seminole programs to fifth-place finishes at the ACC Championships.
Prior to his time in Tallahassee, he had a seven-year stint as an assistant coach at Arizona State (2012-19), where he worked with the distance and middle-distance groups while serving as the recruiting coordinator. Kesler spent four years at ASU working under legendary coach Bob Bowman, who is best known for coaching the most decorated Olympian of all-time, Michael Phelps, among others.
Kesler began his collegiate coaching career at Division II Wingate University, where he served for five years as the top assistant men's and women's swimming coach, overseeing the mid-distance and distance swimmers. During this time, he developed the D-II Swimmer of the Year and the top men's and women's distance programs, outscoring all other Division II schools. Kesler also served on the NCAA D-II Top-25 poll selection committee for the 2011-12 season. While at Wingate, he helped lead the men's team to five straight Bluegrass Mountain Conference championship titles and multiple top-six finishes at the NCAA Division II national championship meets.
As a collegiate athlete, Kesler was an outstanding distance swimmer for the NC State Wolfpack, swimming in the ACC swimming championship meet multiple years and leading the Wolfpack as captain of the 2002-03 team.
A native of Westminster, Maryland, Kesler was also a 2000 Olympic Trials qualifier while representing Green Terror (MD) Aquatic Club.
What others are saying about Coach Kesler:
"Dan is passionate about our sport, he lives and breathes it. He cares deeply about his student-athletes. I am sure he will make a great head coach." - Neal Studd, Florida State Head M/W Swimming Coach
"Dan Kesler is one of the best people I know and an outstanding coach. His desire to learn and grow are well matched with his tireless enthusiasm and passion for passion for the job. He will do great things [in his new role]!" - Bob Bowman, Texas Director of Swimming
“The Swimming Team is getting a hard-working, passionate, and driven swimming professional. Dan's infectious personality, along with his natural love of the sport, will have the team eager to grow and learn from one of the best in the business. His desire to help his student-athletes become better in all aspects of life will garner results from day one." - Kirk Sanocki, Wingate University Head M/W Swimming Coach
Kesler spent two years as head coach at Utah Tech prior to his arrival to NC State. During his tenure at Utah Tech, all school records were broken. He was voted Coach of the Year for the WAC, a first-time accomplishment for the university across all sports. He coached the 2023 WAC Swimmer of the Year and developed the first WAC champion in Utah Tech history.
Kesler spent two years as associate head men’s and women’s swimming coach at Florida State. While at FSU, he worked with the middle-distance and stroke groups, helping lead both Seminole programs to fifth-place finishes at the ACC Championships.
Prior to his time in Tallahassee, he had a seven-year stint as an assistant coach at Arizona State (2012-19), where he worked with the distance and middle-distance groups while serving as the recruiting coordinator. Kesler spent four years at ASU working under legendary coach Bob Bowman, who is best known for coaching the most decorated Olympian of all-time, Michael Phelps, among others.
Kesler began his collegiate coaching career at Division II Wingate University, where he served for five years as the top assistant men's and women's swimming coach, overseeing the mid-distance and distance swimmers. During this time, he developed the D-II Swimmer of the Year and the top men's and women's distance programs, outscoring all other Division II schools. Kesler also served on the NCAA D-II Top-25 poll selection committee for the 2011-12 season. While at Wingate, he helped lead the men's team to five straight Bluegrass Mountain Conference championship titles and multiple top-six finishes at the NCAA Division II national championship meets.
As a collegiate athlete, Kesler was an outstanding distance swimmer for the NC State Wolfpack, swimming in the ACC swimming championship meet multiple years and leading the Wolfpack as captain of the 2002-03 team.
A native of Westminster, Maryland, Kesler was also a 2000 Olympic Trials qualifier while representing Green Terror (MD) Aquatic Club.
What others are saying about Coach Kesler:
"Dan is passionate about our sport, he lives and breathes it. He cares deeply about his student-athletes. I am sure he will make a great head coach." - Neal Studd, Florida State Head M/W Swimming Coach
"Dan Kesler is one of the best people I know and an outstanding coach. His desire to learn and grow are well matched with his tireless enthusiasm and passion for passion for the job. He will do great things [in his new role]!" - Bob Bowman, Texas Director of Swimming
“The Swimming Team is getting a hard-working, passionate, and driven swimming professional. Dan's infectious personality, along with his natural love of the sport, will have the team eager to grow and learn from one of the best in the business. His desire to help his student-athletes become better in all aspects of life will garner results from day one." - Kirk Sanocki, Wingate University Head M/W Swimming Coach
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