STANFORD, Calif. – Chris Klevan has been promoted to head coach of the Stanford sailing program, as Brian Swingly stepped down from the post after two successful seasons at the helm of the program.
"I am thankful to Brian for his service to our student-athletes, and wish him all the best in the future," Stanford's Jaquish & Kenninger Director of Athletics Bernard Muir said. "I am also excited for Chris to take the lead of our program. He has proven himself as one of the most promising coaches in the country and I look forward to seeing where he leads the Cardinal."
"Throughout my career, I have had the good fortune of working with outstanding sailors and exceptional people," said Klevan. "I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue the culture Brian Swingly fostered at Stanford, and I feel that the University and, more specifically, the sailing program, is an excellent fit for me to make the next step. I cannot think of a better team, administration and alumni base to support us as we work to win national championships."
Klevan has served as an assistant coach on the Stanford staff for the last two seasons, and has been Swingly's assistant coach for eight years total dating back to their tenure together at Coast Guard. Klevan had previously spent one year as an assistant coach at George Washington after a four-year career on the sailing team at Hobart and William Smith, where he was a two-time All-American crew.
"I am so grateful that I was offered the opportunity to coach this exceptional team. I will be better in future roles for having been able to work with such an inspirational group of sailors, colleagues, and alumni, said Swingly. "More importantly, many of the relationships I have made will last a lifetime. While circumstances lead to my time on The Farm concluding quicker than I could have anticipated, I will always cherish the past two years. I am excited to now focus my full attention on my young family back on the east coast while cheering the team on from afar."
Swingly and Klevan put the Cardinal in a prime position to make a run for hardware in 2019-20 before the cancellation of the season due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. The coed team was the top-ranked program in the country when the season ended, and the women's team was ranked No. 6. Jack Parkin and Michelle Lahrkamp became the first Stanford sailors to win ICSA National Sailor of the Year awards.
The 2020-21 campaign saw similar levels of success, as Stanford finished in the top five in each of the three national championships. The Cardinal produced a second-place finish at the ICSA Coed Championships, while also placing fifth at the ICSA Women's and Team Race Championships.
"I could not be more thrilled that Chris will be stepping into the head coaching role," continued Swingly. "After working alongside Chris for the past eight years, I am continually impressed with his knowledge of and passion for college sailing. His leadership will undoubtedly lead to continued success for the program."