Army West Point Athletics
Scott Thacker Named New Director of Swimming & Diving
June 08, 2026 | General, Men's Swimming and Diving, Women's Swimming and Diving
WEST POINT, N.Y. – Army West Point Director of Athletics Tom Theodorakis announced Monday the hiring of Scott Thacker as the new Director of Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving.
Thacker becomes the 11th head coach in Army men's swimming & diving program history and the eighth head coach in Army women's swimming & diving history.
"Scott Thacker distinguished himself throughout the search process through his leadership, vision, and deep understanding of our mission," said Theodorakis. "A former collegiate swimmer who competed at the highest level and an accomplished coach with a proven track record of success, he brings a championship mindset and a strong commitment to developing cadet-athletes both in and out of the pool. We are thrilled to welcome Scott and Whitney to West Point and look forward to the continued growth and success of Army Swimming & Diving under his leadership. We also extend our sincere thanks to CSA for its continued support and partnership throughout the search process."
Thacker, an elite program-builder with a proven track record of historic milestones at both the Division I and Division III levels, arrives at West Point after a highly successful four-year tenure at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI).
Before stepping onto the pool deck as a coach, Thacker was a decorated competitor at the highest levels of American swimming. A native of Virginia, he was a 2005 VHSL State Champion and a three-time YMCA National Champion. At the collegiate level, Thacker spent four years as a standout for the Florida State University men's swim team, where he was an NCAA Championship qualifier in 2009, a member of multiple FSU relay records, and captured the 2010 ACC Championship in the 100-yard breaststroke. His competitive career culminated at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, where he competed in the 100-meter breaststroke.
"I am incredibly honored to be selected as the next Director of Swimming and Diving for the Army West Point Athletic Association," said Thacker. "There is no institution in the world that matches the prestige of the United States Military Academy or its dominance in forging leaders of character ready to serve our country. I extend my deepest gratitude to Director of Athletics Tom Theodorakis and the leadership here at West Point for trusting me with the future of this program. To be given the responsibility of leading this team is a profound privilege, and I am eager to carry the weight of such a position with the humility and dedication it deserves. I look forward to partnering with our administration, our staff, and the entire West Point community as we take this team forward into the next chapter of its continued success."
Thacker moves to West Point following a historic 2025-26 season at VMI, where he orchestrated a complete transformation of the Keydets' program. During his fourth season at the helm, Thacker guided the men's team to a 4-3 regular-season record, securing back-to-back winning seasons. Under his watch, the VMI men broke 10 team records, while the women's squad shattered an astonishing 20 team records and achieved consecutive Division I victories for the first time since 2014-16.
The season culminated in program-defining postseason performances. At the America East Championships, the Keydet men earned a fourth-place finish, the highest of the Thacker era, while the women racked up a historic 159 points. On the national stage, Thacker qualified 11 swimmers for the CSCAA National Invitational Championship, where the Keydets placed 22nd overall and scored a program-record 148.5 points. His exceptional leadership during his tenure earned him the prestigious VMI Distinguished Coaching Award, recognizing him as the Institute's most outstanding coach.
Prior to his time at VMI, Thacker served as the head mentor at Roanoke College, where he re-established the swim program from scratch in 2017. In just four years, he took the Maroons all the way to the 2021 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Men's Team Championship, earning ODAC and All-State Coach of the Year honors. He developed the program's first Division III All-American, produced 44 conference champions, and finished his tenure with an outstanding 66-15 dual meet record. His early coaching career also included highly successful leadership roles with elite club teams, including the Shenandoah Marlins Aquatic Club and the Greater Richmond YMCA Tritons.
Thacker becomes the 11th head coach in Army men's swimming & diving program history and the eighth head coach in Army women's swimming & diving history.
"Scott Thacker distinguished himself throughout the search process through his leadership, vision, and deep understanding of our mission," said Theodorakis. "A former collegiate swimmer who competed at the highest level and an accomplished coach with a proven track record of success, he brings a championship mindset and a strong commitment to developing cadet-athletes both in and out of the pool. We are thrilled to welcome Scott and Whitney to West Point and look forward to the continued growth and success of Army Swimming & Diving under his leadership. We also extend our sincere thanks to CSA for its continued support and partnership throughout the search process."
Thacker, an elite program-builder with a proven track record of historic milestones at both the Division I and Division III levels, arrives at West Point after a highly successful four-year tenure at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI).
Before stepping onto the pool deck as a coach, Thacker was a decorated competitor at the highest levels of American swimming. A native of Virginia, he was a 2005 VHSL State Champion and a three-time YMCA National Champion. At the collegiate level, Thacker spent four years as a standout for the Florida State University men's swim team, where he was an NCAA Championship qualifier in 2009, a member of multiple FSU relay records, and captured the 2010 ACC Championship in the 100-yard breaststroke. His competitive career culminated at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, where he competed in the 100-meter breaststroke.
"I am incredibly honored to be selected as the next Director of Swimming and Diving for the Army West Point Athletic Association," said Thacker. "There is no institution in the world that matches the prestige of the United States Military Academy or its dominance in forging leaders of character ready to serve our country. I extend my deepest gratitude to Director of Athletics Tom Theodorakis and the leadership here at West Point for trusting me with the future of this program. To be given the responsibility of leading this team is a profound privilege, and I am eager to carry the weight of such a position with the humility and dedication it deserves. I look forward to partnering with our administration, our staff, and the entire West Point community as we take this team forward into the next chapter of its continued success."
Thacker moves to West Point following a historic 2025-26 season at VMI, where he orchestrated a complete transformation of the Keydets' program. During his fourth season at the helm, Thacker guided the men's team to a 4-3 regular-season record, securing back-to-back winning seasons. Under his watch, the VMI men broke 10 team records, while the women's squad shattered an astonishing 20 team records and achieved consecutive Division I victories for the first time since 2014-16.
The season culminated in program-defining postseason performances. At the America East Championships, the Keydet men earned a fourth-place finish, the highest of the Thacker era, while the women racked up a historic 159 points. On the national stage, Thacker qualified 11 swimmers for the CSCAA National Invitational Championship, where the Keydets placed 22nd overall and scored a program-record 148.5 points. His exceptional leadership during his tenure earned him the prestigious VMI Distinguished Coaching Award, recognizing him as the Institute's most outstanding coach.
Prior to his time at VMI, Thacker served as the head mentor at Roanoke College, where he re-established the swim program from scratch in 2017. In just four years, he took the Maroons all the way to the 2021 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Men's Team Championship, earning ODAC and All-State Coach of the Year honors. He developed the program's first Division III All-American, produced 44 conference champions, and finished his tenure with an outstanding 66-15 dual meet record. His early coaching career also included highly successful leadership roles with elite club teams, including the Shenandoah Marlins Aquatic Club and the Greater Richmond YMCA Tritons.
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