Coach Chris Swenson: NJAC Coach of the Year

By Matthew Sierra | Published May 3, 2023

Chris Swenson, head coach of the women’s swim team at Kean University had the season of a lifetime, with the perfect combination of brilliant coaching and elite-level swimmers under him. In his young career as a head swim coach, he can call himself finally NJAC Coach of the Year in 2023.

Kean Women’s swimming ran the table last season with an undefeated record after coming off a 6-6 record. This team did not just go undefeated, they dominated the entire season. This unrivaled dominance is as a result of the young and gifted swimmers and newly named New Jersey Athletic Conference Coach of the Year Chris Swenson. With 110 School records broken and 17 All-NJAC Selections under his coaching, Coach Swenson has begun to create a powerhouse not only in the NJAC, but in the nation.

 Due to his thorough and strategic coaching, he led the Cougars to their first undefeated season and their first conference championship in the program’s history. 

“It means that we have a talented team,” Swenson said. The 4-year coach makes it a point to put in the effort in practice, but come race time, Coach Swenson knows that his team will get the job done every time out due to his unique technical coaching style “I try to be very detail-oriented, a lot of hours and early mornings, and I let them race,” Swenson said. 

This highly technical and strategic coaching style allowed the Kean Cougars to show the young talent they have on their team, the likes of All-American Sophomore Naomee Miller and Junior Brianna Shawalong with Freshman standouts Taylor Jacobson, Ashley Konz, and Kylie Tininenko. 

While being technically sound and detailed, Coach Swenson also makes it a point to bring a good atmosphere to the team. 

“He’s so caring and passionate,” Miller said. “I have never had a coach like him and I’m so grateful I decided to transfer here to Kean to swim under him.” 

Coach Swenson continued to praise his team in the interview, when asked about Naomee Miller, he expressed how proud of her and what she was able to accomplish this season. “She works hard, only being with us half a season, working her way back in NCAA form,” Swenson said. 

Coach Swenson looks to carry that confidence into the upcoming season this fall. “I think we will be better next year than last year,” Swenson said. 

With the combination of youth and raw talent as well as the returning swimmers as well, the Cougars are going to be the team to beat in the NJAC conference. Coach Swenson and his team not only believe but promise an equally dominant season for 2023-24. They are the team to beat, and they like it that way.

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