Stanford NCAA Champion Jeff Kostoff Returns as Assistant Coach

Photo Courtesy: Annie Grevers

STANFORD, Calif. – Former Indiana assistant swimming coach and Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame member Jeff Kostoff has joined the Cardinal as an assistant coach, as announced Thursday by Goldman Family Director of Men’s Swimming Ted Knapp.

“I can’t imagine a better fit for Stanford and for our team,” said Knapp. “Jeff has a tremendous passion for both and his energy and enthusiasm will have an immediate impact on the team. He is ambitious and his years as an elite athlete and his ability to coach young men will help this team make tremendous progress.”

During Kostoff’s four seasons on The Farm, Stanford went 39-1 in dual meets, winning four Pac-10 championships and three consecutive national championships from 1985-87 under head coach Skip Kenney.

He won three Pac-10 individual titles (1987 500-yard freestyle, 1987 1,650-yard freestyle and 1984 400-yard individual medley) while taking home at least one individual NCAA championship in each of his four collegiate seasons (1,650 free in 1984, 1986 and 1987, and 400 IM in 1985 and 1987).

“I could not be happier to be returning to Stanford after so many years,” said Kostoff, who spent three years as an assistant at Indiana. “The potential for the team is unlimited and I can’t wait for the upcoming season. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to once again be part of such a special institution.”

At age 18, Kostoff took sixth place in the 400 IM at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, winning the B-final four years later in Seoul, South Korea, in the same event.

In 1983, he set an American age-group record in the 500 free, a mark which stood for 30 years until 2013. His Stanford program record in the 1,650 free stood for 21 years from 1986-2007.

At the 1983 Pan American Games, Kostoff took home a gold medal in the 1,500-meter freestyle and a silver medal in the 400-meter individual medley.

While at Stanford, Kostoff also ran cross country, helping the Cardinal win the 1985 Pac-10 Conference Championship.

“The Hoosier swimming nation wishes Jeff the best of luck as he returns to his alma mater and the site of many of his most impressive personal accomplishments,” said Indiana head swim coach Ray Looze. “Coach Kostoff made a huge impression at Indiana over the past three years. His most lasting efforts will certainly be his ability to relate to our swimmers and his passion for distance swimming. Stanford is getting a fantastic coach who will be a difference maker in multiple areas.”

Stanford University contributed this report.

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