Patrick Jeffrey Named Head Diving Coach at Stanford University

Patrick Jeffrey has been named the head diving coach at Stanford University, Bernard Muir, The Jaquish & Kenninger Director of Athletics, announced Wednesday. Jeffrey comes to The Farm from Florida State where he spent the last 15 seasons leading the Seminoles’ diving program.

“It is an honor to be offered the position at Stanford University,” said Jeffrey. “The university has the best athletic department in the country and continued success in swimming and diving. I’m very excited to be a part of it.”

Jeffrey’s divers have rewritten the Florida State and ACC record book, while establishing the Seminoles as one of the top programs in the country. While in Tallahassee, Jeffrey guided at least one diver to All-American status in 11 of his 15 seasons. Seminole divers have also increased the level of the sport in the ACC, capturing 21 of the 63 conference championships on the boards during Jeffrey’s tenure.

A 1988 graduate of Ohio State, Jeffrey was a decorated diver with the Buckeyes and Team USA. He became the only diver to sweep the three NCAA diving titles in 1988 (1-meter, 3-meter, platform), before competing in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Ga. His best finish at the Olympics was a ninth-place showing in the platform event in Atlanta. Jeffrey, who is a five-time U.S. National Diving Champion, also owns two Pan American Games platform bronze medals from 1991 and 1995.

“Beyond Patrick’s incomparable achievements as an athlete as well as his success as a college, club and Team USA coach, he demonstrated a very diligent and thoughtful approach to his communication and I know he will work really well with the Stanford divers,” said Ted Knapp, Goldman Family Director of Men’s Swimming. “I appreciate the confidence he has going into this new role and look forward to the great relationships he will create with the divers.”

Head women’s swimming coach Greg Meehan added:

“From the minute Ted and I began this process with Patrick, we were very confident he was the perfect fit for the Stanford swimming and diving programs. His knowledge of the sport and ability to communicate with others is going to help our diving team continue its legacy of national and international success.”

In addition to his continued success on the college scene, Jeffrey has been a regular in international competition. Jeffrey was Team USA’s head coach at the 2013 World University Games and has also been on staff at the 2009 World Championship, 2007 World Student Games, 2001 World Championship, 2000 Olympics and 1999 U.S. World Cup since starting at Florida State. The 2009 World Championship squad included Florida State student-athlete Terry Horner, who was a six-time All-American and 2007 NCAA champion with the Seminoles.

Most recently, Jeffrey coached Florida State’s Katrina Young and Team USA at the 2014 FINA Grand Prix May 8-11 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Young was an All-American and ACC champion and ACC meet record holder on the platform for FSU. Jeffrey will also coach the 2014 World Cup team, featuring Young and platform synchronized diving partner Amy Cozad, in July.

Jeffrey takes over the Cardinal program that has won 50 team conference titles (31 men, 19 women) since 1980. Divers have helped Stanford swimming and diving teams win 16 team national championships (nine women, seven men) in the last 34 years, while producing 116 All-Americans.

College Swimming News courtesy of Stanford Swimming and Diving.