Mike Kotch Head Coach mkotch@brandeis.edu 781-736-2589

On July 11, 2011, Mike Kotch succeeded Jim Zotz as head coach of the Brandeis men's and women's swimming and diving teams, coming to Brandeis from nearby Regis College, where he served as head coach of swimming and diving since 2008. While at Regis, Kotch was instrumental in aiding Brandeis's program during the 2008-09 and '09-'10 seasons, when the Judges alternated practices in Weston and at cross-town institution Bentley University because of mechanical problems with the pool.

"Having worked with Mike in the past, I am confident he will be an outstanding fit at Brandeis," Sousa said. "He understands the challenges and rewards of coaching Division III and working with student-athletes who are among the best in the pool and in the classroom. Mike will be an asset to our program as he rebuilds the swimming and diving program."

"Everything about Coach Zotz and the Brandeis University swim program had been first class," Kotch said. "I look forward to the challenge of not only re-establishing the high standards that were set the first time around, but to hopefully being lucky enough to recruit young men and women over time that help surpass those high standards that are representative of the current Brandeis athletic department."

Kotch, in three years as head coach at Regis, developed 19 school-record holders and built the Pride men's program up from two swimmers in 2007. Kotch was Regis's staff liaison to their Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and served on the College's Judicial Board. He also servs as treasurer for the New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association (NEISDA).

Kotch holds two degrees from Bentley, receiving his B.S. in Accountancy in 1998 and his M.B.A. in 2004. He served as the Falcons' assistant coach from 2002 to 2008, leading recruiting efforts, including two Division II All-Americans, and helping the team win 11 NEISDA championships between the men's and women's squads.