Nehls Named Headvert Swimming and Diving Coach at William Paterson

WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson University named David Nehls the brand new head males’s and ladies’s swimming and diving coach August 20.

Nehls, who was named one of many American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Top 50 Age Group Coaches within the U.S. in 2024, involves WP after spending the earlier 5 years as the top age group coach and operations supervisor for Phoenix Aquatic Club in Rockland County, N.Y.

“Dave brings an impressive background to William Paterson and our swimming and diving program,” William Paterson Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation Kristen Foley stated. “We are excited about his vision, passion for recruiting and ability to develop our swimmers and divers into national contenders. He is a rising star, and we look forward to having him lead our program to new heights.”

He coached over 20 athletes to the National Age Group (NAG) Top 20 rankings, together with greater than 10 Top 10 finishes and a 2024 nationwide runner-up. Under his steering, the Phoenix Aquatic Club was named one of many ASCA Top 100 Age Group Teams in 2024 and 2025.

“It is an honor to be chosen as the next head coach of the William Paterson swimming and diving program, following in the footsteps of one of the most successful coaches in Division III history, Ed Gurka,” Nehls stated. “I would like to thank Kristen Foley and the search committee for believing in my vision. As a North Jersey native, I take great pride in joining the William Paterson athletics department and plan on working tirelessly in the pursuit of expanding the program. With a new pool currently under construction, exciting developments are on the horizon.”

While with the Phoenix Aquatic Club, he additionally spent two seasons at Ramapo College as an assistant swim coach for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 campaigns.

Prior to Ramapo, Nehls served as the top website coach for the Life Time Metro Swim Team from 2019-21.

After graduating from Ramapo in 2011 with a bachelor’s in environmental research, he spent over seven years as an assistant swim coach for the Roadrunners, serving to his alma mater submit a 38-20 mark.

Nehls additionally gained expertise as a head coach at Ramsey High School (2017-20) and with Erskine Lakes Aquatic Club (2016-18).