Brown University has hired Kate Kovenock as the head coach of the newly separated women’s swimming and diving program, the school announced today.
Kovenock has spent the 5 previous seasons as an assistant at Notre Dame, and was a part of the staff last year that took that women’s program to their highest-ever 16th-place finish at NCAA’s.
“It is an absolute honor to be at Brown University. Early in the search process, it became very clear to me that all movement, all changes within the athletic department are centered on providing the framework needed for elite level athletic performance,” said Kovenock. “I would like to thank Jack Hayes and all involved in the search process for extending me the honor.”
Before Notre Dame, she was an assistant with the Kenyon NCAA Division III dynasty for four seasons from 2004-2009. She was also an 11-time NCAA Division III All-American at Connecticut College from 2001-2005, and a two-time team captain.
After the retirement of long-time head coach Peter Brown this summer, the school’s athletics department announced that it would be separating its men’s and women’s swimming & diving programs. Alex de la Pena and Andrew Goe are still listed as assistants on the pages of both the men’s and women’s programs. The Brown women finished 6th out of 8 teams at last year’s Ivy League Championship meet.
Great hire for Brown. Look for them to move up over the next few years.
Congratulations Kate!!