Steve Schaffer

Biography

Steve Schaffer begins his 19th season as Grand Canyon's head men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach in the 2026-27 season. During the 2025-26 season, the Lopes transitioned into new conference homes in the Mountain West and Big West while continuing their national success. Carter Dooling qualified for the men’s NCAA Championships after winning the 200-yard breaststroke title at the Big West Championships to earn an NCAA automatic qualifying bid under a new rule that GCU head coach Steve Schaffer was instrumental in adding. The men also placed third out of 30 teams at the CSCAA National Invitational Championship, while Taylor Stasny earned an NCAA B cut on the women’s side in a stacked Mountain West field. During the 2024-25 season, the Lopes continued to make program history with the men placing third out of 54 teams at the CSCAA National Invitational Championship. On the women’s side, freshman Beth Young was named WAC Freshman of the Year while helping GCU place third at the WAC Championships. During the 2023-24 season, the Lopes have now taken second in both the men's and women's WAC competition's for two straight years, something that had never been accomplished prior to last season. The men also took 3rd out of 36 at the CSCAA National Invitational Championship. Schaffer lead the the Lopes to their best combined Western Athletic Conference Championship finish with both teams taking second. In his 15th season has the Lopes head coach, the men's team had 59 new top-ten

Career Path