Cliff Devries

Biography

Cliff Devries enters his 24th year as the diving coach for the Tigers in 2025-26. In that time, he has coached multiple NCAA Division III All-Americans. Last season, Devries coached three divers who earned All-American honors. On the men's side, Gellert Kish placed sixth in the 3m and seventh in the 1m while teammate Luke Albanese took 10th in the 3m and ninth in the 1m. For the women's team, Maddi Williams took eighth overall in the 3m event. In 2018, Devries was awarded the prestigious Richard E. Steadman Award by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America. He became the first diving coach to win the hallowed award, given annually to a swimming or diving coach in high school, club, or university ranks who has done the most to spread happiness in Coach Steadman's beloved sport of swimming and diving. Under his tutelage, divers Quinn Donahoe and Matt Joseph earned All-American honors in 2007 and 2008. In 2011, Evan Wendt earned All-American honors in both the 1-and 3-meter diving. In 2013, John Tellgren garnered All-American accolades in both the 1- and 3-meter events. Devries was named the Upper New York State Athletic Conference Diving Coach of the Year in 2007, 2008, 2011, 2015 and 2016. It is Devries' second stint with RIT. From 1999 to 2002, he led RIT on the diving board. After a three-year hiatus, Devries returned to lead the Tiger divers in 2005. Devries has a tremendous amount of experience, having coached in the Rochester area for the last two de