WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson University named David Nehls the new head men's and women's swimming and diving coach August 20.

Nehls, who was named one of the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Top 50 Age Group Coaches in the U.S. in 2024, comes to WP after spending the previous five years as the head age group coach and operations manager 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 said. "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, including more than 10 Top 10 finishes and a 2024 national runner-up. Under his guidance, the Phoenix Aquatic Club was named one of the 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 said. "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 also 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 head site coach for the Life Time Metro Swim Team from 2019-21.

After graduating from Ramapo in 2011 with a bachelor's in environmental studies, he spent over seven years as an assistant swim coach for the Roadrunners, helping his alma mater post a 38-20 mark.

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