Rob Stafford- Head Coach/ Aquatics Director
Scout Aquatics coach since April 2025
Rob brings a dynamic and thoughtful approach to coaching, driven by the belief that every swimmer deserves a space to grow, thrive, and feel seen, no matter their age, background, or goals.
With a passion for the sport and the mental health of the people in it, Rob has coached athletes to success at the Regional, Age Group State, Central Zone, and National levels, including team and state record holders. But his proudest moments come from helping swimmers find confidence and joy in the process—whether training for national meets, juggling multiple sports, or diving into swimming for the first time.
At the heart of Rob’s coaching philosophy is that swimming is an inclusive sport. He views the pool as a place to build better athletes and people. His approach blends humor, empathy, and high standards, emphasizing strong communication between swimmers, families, and coaches. He meets each athlete where they are, highlighting their unique strengths and helping them progress with patience and purpose.
Rob credits much of his coaching style to the love, wisdom, and grit passed down by his late parents. His father instilled the value of consistent hard work and quiet perseverance, while his mother’s warmth and humor taught him the importance of connection and understanding. Together, those lessons shaped the caring and committed coach he is today.
Before joining Scout Aquatics, Rob spent six years coaching at New Trier Aquatics, where he led groups across all levels and, in the last few seasons, has worked closely with athletes in the Senior program. He also served as tryout coordinator, welcoming and onboarding new athletes into the NTA community. He began his coaching career at Big Blue Aquatics and has developed specialized swim programming for nonverbal children and adults with autism, and individuals with special needs.
Rob is active in the Illinois Swimming LSC and continues to invest in swimmer development at the state and regional level through his roles with:
Illinois Swimming Age Group Pro Series Camp – Assistant Coach (2023)
Team Illinois – 14&U Central Zone Championships – Assistant Coach (2023, 2024, 2025)
Outside the pool, he enjoys pickup basketball, bass fishing, and kayaking through the local Forest Preserves.
Education
B.S. in Psychology – University of Illinois Chicago
Currently pursuing an MSW at the Jane Addams School of Social Work, University of Illinois Chicago
Josh Queyquep- Lead Coach & Dryland Coordinator
Scout Aquatics coach since June 2025
Laura Rolph - Assistant Age Group Coach
Scout Aquatics coach since September 2024
Laura Rolph brings a wealth of competitive swimming experience to coaching. Most recently, she moved here from California, where she coached for 7 years at the Los Altos Golf and Country Club. There, she led the Summer League Swim Team to 7 championships and helped develop championship meet winners. She helped create a community and culture of success and fun not only with the LAGCC Bears, but also the year-round Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics LAGCC PASA athletes, where those swimmers showed tremendous improvement through the years. PASA is a premier United States Swimming Team in the Bay Area where swimmers learn the importance of teamwork, hard work, and sportsmanship. Before that, she coached at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, where she managed the Junior Swim Team and had the opportunity to work alongside some of the best coaches and swimmers in the world. Originally from Illinois, Coach Laura began swimming competitively at age 6 and quickly excelled in the sport, breaking numerous age group records, as well as achieving a NRT (13th in Nation) in the 9-10 Medley Relay. She qualified for the Junior Olympics and Zones for nearly 7 years, scooping up over 15 Top Ten Times for Breaststroke, Butterfly, and IM. Laura also played club soccer, winning championships across the Midwest. She played Varsity soccer and ran track in high school, and continued on to play soccer at a collegiate level, where she was All Conference and leading scorer as a forward. After college, she managed a Masters Swim Team in Chicago and has now come back to the area to raise her family in Lake Forest with her husband and 3 children, where you'll no doubt find her poolside.
Holly Doyle - Assistant Age Group Coach
Scout Aquatics coach since October 2025
I first started learning how to swim at the Lake Bluff Pool, and then continued my swimming career at Lake Forest Swim Club where I swam under Coach Mo, Michael, and Laurel from Kindergarten to Junior year of high school where I was a backstroke and distance swimmer. I swam with Coach Carolyn all 4 years of high school on Varsity, and I was a distance swimmer for Scouts. Some of my favorite memories from high school were going to Apple Holler with JV and Varsity, and my favorites from LFSC were the Duckathon and Relay for Life.
I continued my passion for swimming at Dickinson College in Pennsylvania where I chose to swim on their club, and I then became the coach and Vice President my Senior year, after I studied abroad for a full year in Europe. I graduated with a degree in Environmental Science and Educational Studies, and I am living back at home and working at Cherokee Elementary School as a Teaching Assistant.
I have taught swim lessons to kids ages 2-12 for the past 8 years (mostly summers) at Lake Forest Swim Club, Lake Bluff Park District, and privately.
I live right by the High School, so if you see me walking our new dog Bo, please say hi!
