Kevin Steel, who spent the past two years as an assistant coach at Rutgers University, has been named head coach of Connecticut College’s Women’s Swimming and Diving team. He will begin his new role on July 1.

“I am honored and thrilled to accept the position of head Women’s Swimming Coach at Connecticut College,” Steel said. “I want to thank [Director of Athletics] Mo White for this incredible opportunity and for the trust she has placed in me. Connecticut College’s commitment to academic rigor; its driven and intellectually curious student body; and its close-knit, inclusive community make it a truly special place. I’m excited to lead this talented group of student-athletes and to build upon the program’s proud tradition of excellence in and out of the pool.”

Steel inherits a program that is returning 29 letter winners for the 2025-2026 season. The Camels posted a 4-5 dual meet record last season and finished ninth at the 2025 NESCAC Championship.

“Kevin brings an impressive background to Connecticut College and we are excited to welcome him to the coaching staff,” said White. “His accomplishments in the pool are impressive, but it’s his deep commitment to the holistic development of student-athletes that make him a great fit for Conn.”

Steel joined the Scarlet Knights in 2023 and served as recruiting coordinator in his first season under head coach Jon Maccoll. In his second year his focus shifted to administrative and coaching duties, which included designing and implementing training programs for sprinters. He also coached several athletes to program top-10 performances while at Rutgers.

Steel spent the 2022-2023 season as a volunteer assistant coach at the University of Virginia. He helped the Cavaliers win their third-consecutive NCAA title with five relay and six individual NCAA championships. He has also served as a volunteer member of the coaching staffs at Kenyon College and the University of Arizona.

A native of Mooretown, New Jersey, Steel graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in biochemistry. As a student-athlete, he made Olympic trial appearances in 2012 and 2016, earned a spot on the 2013 USA World Championship team and twice broke the U.S. Open 50 breaststroke record. In 2013, he placed second in the 100 breaststroke at the 2013 NCAA championships.