July 2025
WALTHAM, Mass. – Bentley Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams is pleased to introduce Kevin Walsh as Bentley’s new head coach for swimming & diving. Walsh will also serve as the University’s Aquatics Director.
Walsh is no stranger to the Northeast-10. 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 Williams. “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 arrives 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 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 succeeds the legendary Mary Kay Samko, who led the Bentley swimming & diving program for 29 years. She announced her retirement following the 2024-25 season. Samko will be inducted into the Bentley Athletics Hall of Fame this fall.
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 a M.S. in Education. Walsh has served as an adjunct professor at both Saint Rose and Siena College.
The Bentley women’s swimming & diving team has placed second in the NE10 Championships for four consecutive years, and the men have finished top three in the conference championships for 12 consecutive seasons – including three team titles during that stretch.
