Indiana University has hired swimming legend Jeff Kostoff to replace the spot vacated when Marie Marsman left the program. The move is expected to be announced officially on Monday morning.
Kostoff was an Olympian at both the 1984 and 1988 Games, and in 1983 won a Pan Am Gold Medal in the 1500 free. He is perhaps best known, though, for the longevity of his records.
Until 2007, he held the Stanford record in the men’s 1,650 freestyle for 21 years, and from 1983 until just a few months ago enjoyed a 30-year reign as the fastest 500 freestyler in the history of high school swimming. That was until it was broken earlier this year by a young star named Jack Conger, who was a 4:13.87 to Kostoff’s 4:16.39.
(Watch a video of Kostoff congratulating Conger on breaking the record here).
This was one of those records labeled “untouchable” for how long it existed, though we all knew of course that eventually someone would have it.
Kostoff’s coaching resume isn’t as deep as his own swimming resume, though he does have some good college coaching experience. He was an assistant at Maryland from 1993-1997. Kostoff most recently been working in the Washington DC Area in the technology industry.
Also hiring Kyle Hastings, amazing sprint coach.