Gators Swim & Dive Hires Chelsea Piper as Assistant Coach

Florida swimming and diving has hired Chelsea Piper as assistant coach, head coach Anthony Nest announced on Monday. Piper (née Bailey) comes to Florida after seven years on staff as a coach and recruiting coordinator with Vanderbilt women’s swimming, including the past two as associate head coach.

 

Chelsea’s passion for the sport and building relationships will continue to propel our student athletes forward in every measurable way,” Nesty said. “She brings experience coaching in the SEC and a drive to work with world class athletes. Her humility and work ethic will fit in seamlessly with our staff and we look forward to the future of Florida Swimming & Diving with her addition.”

 

During Piper’s time on the Vanderbilt staff, Commodore swimmers posted the fastest time in program history in 15 different individual events as well as all five relays. Piper’s efforts in 2023-24 helped the Commodores score their most points at the SEC Championships since 2007, and Kailia Utley became the first Vanderbilt swimmer to compete at the NCAA Championships in 30 years

 

“I am incredibly honored, grateful, and excited to be joining the Gator Swimming & Diving coaching staff,” Piper said. “Florida has long set the standard for excellence in our sport, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the continued success of this special program. Throughout this process, the genuine thoughtfulness and care I have felt speaks to quality of the staff and administration. Thank you to Coach Nesty and the Swim & Dive staff for this phenomenal opportunity. I can’t wait to get to work. Go Gators!”

 

A native of Seattle, Washington, Piper has always had a passion for the water. During her 14 years of competitive swimming, she qualified multiple times for World Trials, NCAA Championships and national championships, and competed in the 2016 Olympic Trials.

 

Piper attended, graduated, and swam for San Diego State, earning a bachelor’s degree in social science with an emphasis in psychology in 2015. An All-American each of her final two seasons, Piper also competed in eight different events at the 2014 and ’15 NCAA Championships. A 15-time All-Mountain West Conference selection during her collegiate career, Piper served as team captain for the Aztecs two years, was recognized as a scholar-athlete after earning dean’s list recognition, and participated as an active member of the school’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

 

Upon completion of the Olympic Trials she became an assistant coach at Seattle University, where she guided the sprint group to a successful 2018-19 season before coming to Vanderbilt. Piper received her master’s degree in secondary education with an emphasis in psychology from Grand Canyon in 2019.