Gary Kessie is in his ninth season as an assistant coach in the Whitworth swimming program with primary responsibility for the Pirate sprinters. He also serves as the Assistant Director for Community Programs at the Whitworth Aquatic Center.

During his previous eight seasons leading the Whitworth sprinters, Kessie has coached numerous All-Conference and national qualifying performers, including seven-time individual conference champion and All-American Brittany Gresset.

A four-year letter-winner (2001-04) for the Pirates as a competitor, Kessie was part of three Northwest Conference championship teams at Whitworth. A breaststroke specialist, he was a four-year NWC championship finalist.