Kevin Walsh enters his second season as the head coach for the Bentley men's and women's swimming and diving teams in 2026-27.
Walsh continued both programs legacy of success in his first year at the helm. The women's team earned a second place finish at the NE10 Championships with eight different athletes winning medals. The men's team earned a third place finish with seven different medalists.
Taylor White was named a third team Academic All-America by the College Sports Communicators, becoming the third women in program history to earn that recognition.
Walsh also serves as the University’s Aquatics Director. In that role he manages the Dana Center Pool, which is open to the Bentley and Waltham communities.
Walsh is no stranger to the Northeast 10. Prior to Bentley, he spent three seasons (2022-24) on the swimming & diving staff at his alma mater, Saint Rose. Walsh’s coaching tenure with the Golden Knights began with one season as an assistant. He was then elevated to head coach for two seasons.
Walsh was a four-year letter winner at Saint Rose, and he was a team captain his senior season.
“We are very excited for our men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs,” said Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams upon his hiring. “Coach Walsh has the experience and mindset to match our goals to be the best version of ourselves.”
During Walsh’s first season on the Saint Rose staff, the Golden Knights placed the NE10 Women’s Swimmer of the Year (Colleen Quaglia). As head coach, Walsh’s swimmers garnered multiple top-10 all-time conference finishes during the NE10 Championships.
Walsh arrived at Bentley after one year as an assistant coach at Union College (NCAA D-III).
“I am incredibly excited to join Bentley University and return to the NE10 - a conference I know well from both my time as a student-athlete and as a head coach at The College of Saint Rose,” said Walsh. “I understand what it takes to build a winning culture in this conference, and I’m committed to carrying forward the legacy of excellence that Mary Kay Samko established here. Her impact on this program is undeniable, and I’m honored to continue that tradition while bringing new energy and vision to Falcons swimming and diving.”
Walsh’s strong background as an educator allows him to effectively connect with, and instruct, student-athletes. He earned his B.A. in Mathematics at Saint Rose, where he also earned an M.S. in Education. Walsh served as an adjunct professor at both Saint Rose and Siena College.
