By Sarah Berman on SwimSwam
In a press release on Wednesday, Cal confirmed that David Marsh will join the Cal men’s coaching staff as Interim Assistant Coach while Chase Kreitler takes paternity leave. Marsh will join the Golden Bears in early February.
SwimSwam previously reported that Marsh was headed to Berkeley, but the formal announcement now confirms that Kreitler is taking paternity leave. This means that Marsh will assist head coach Dave Durden and volunteer assistant coach Matt Martinez for the remainder of the 2021-2022 season.
“In the time leading up to this decision, Chase and I spoke about the birth of his son and how impactful of a moment it will be for him and his wife, Liz, and their family,” Durden said in the press release.
He continued, “Chase will have plenty more impactful professional opportunities in his career, but only a few of these life-changing moments; the time he’ll be able to spend with his son and family is irreplaceable.”
Marsh expressed his excitement for the position, and the opportunity to coach his wife Kristin’s alma mater, where she also swam in the late 1980’s. “I have watched, talked and remained close friends with Dave and Cathy through Cal’s reemergence as a true powerhouse in collegiate swimming,” he said.
Durden and Marsh have prior coaching experience together. Durden was an assistant coach under Marsh from 2002-2005, including six NCAA Team Championships between the men (2003, 2004, 2005) and women (2002, 2003, 2004).
As of the December 2021 SwimSwam power ranking, Cal was ranked 2nd behind Texas.
Read the full story on SwimSwam: Cal Confirms Marsh to Step in as Interim Coach for Kreitler’s Paternity Leave