Philip Kraus has officially retired as head coach of the University of West Florida women's swimming and diving team after eight successful seasons. Under his leadership, UWF became a dominant force in NCAA Division II, securing seven consecutive New South Intercollegiate Swim Conference championships and achieving multiple top-12 finishes at the NCAA Championships. Kraus was recognized as NSISC Swimming Coach of the Year for seven consecutive years and fostered a culture of excellence both in and out of the pool.

By the Numbers
  • 7 consecutive NSISC championships won from 2018 to 2026.
  • 3 national championships and NCAA Division II records set during Kraus' tenure.
  • 198 All-America performances, including 79 first-team selections.
  • Average team GPA of 3.65 maintained over 16 semesters.
State of Play
  • A search for a new head coach will commence following Kraus' retirement.
  • The program remains strong, continuing to attract talent and maintain competitive performance.
What's Next

The next head coach will inherit a successful program with a solid foundation and a commitment to both academic and athletic excellence. Recruitment efforts are expected to continue to ensure the program stays competitive on both the conference and national stages.

Bottom Line

Kraus leaves a legacy of success at UWF, with his tenure marked by remarkable achievements both in competition and academics. Future leadership will need to build on this success while fostering the continued growth and development of the program.