{"id":644866,"date":"2026-06-10T10:22:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T17:22:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=644866"},"modified":"2026-06-10T10:22:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T17:22:14","slug":"army-hires-scott-thacker-as-director-of-swimming-and-diving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/army-hires-scott-thacker-as-director-of-swimming-and-diving\/","title":{"rendered":"Army Hires Scott Thacker as Director of Swimming and Diving"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Army Hires Scott Thacker as Director of Swimming and Diving<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Army on Monday hired <strong>Scott Thacker<\/strong> as its director of men\u2019s and women\u2019s swimming and diving.<\/p>\n<p>Thacker, who was previously at Virginia Military Institute, becomes the 11th head coach in Army men\u2019s history and eighth for the women\u2019s program. He replaces <strong>Brandt Nigro,<\/strong> who <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/texas-hires-brandt-nigro-from-army-as-womens-associate-head-coach\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">in May was hired as an associate head coach<\/a> at the University of Texas&#8217; women&#8217;s swimming and diving program.<\/p>\n<p>Thacker spent four seasons at VMI, helping it thrive in a military prep environment.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I am incredibly honored to be selected as the next Director of Swimming and Diving for the Army West Point Athletic Association,&#8221; Thacker said <a href=\"https:\/\/goarmywestpoint.com\/news\/2026\/6\/8\/general-scott-thacker-named-new-director-of-swimming-diving\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">in a press release<\/a>. &#8220;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.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Thacker is a native of Virginia, where he was a high school state champion. He swam at Florida State, qualifying for NCAAs in 2009, U.S. Olympic Trials in 2012 and as an ACC champion in the 100 breast. He coached with elite club teams at Shenandoah Marlins Aquatic Club and Greater Richmond YMCA Tritons early in his career.<\/p>\n<p>His college coaching career began at Roanoke College, which reinstated its swimming program in 2017. He led the Maroons to an Old Dominion Athletic Conference men\u2019s championship in 2021 and developed the school\u2019s first Division III All-America.<\/p>\n<p>Last year at VMI, he led the Keydets men\u2019s team to a fourth-place result at the America East Championships and the women to a program-best score of 159 points. Her earned the VMI Distinguished Coaching Award as the institution\u2019s most outstanding coach.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Scott Thacker distinguished himself throughout the search process through his leadership, vision, and deep understanding of our mission,&#8221; Army West Point Director or Athletics <strong>Tom Theodorakis<\/strong> said. &#8220;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 &amp; Diving under his leadership. We also extend our sincere thanks to CSA for its continued support and partnership throughout the search process.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I want to thank Scott for his service and the impact he has made within the swimming and diving program and VMI,&#8221; VMI Director of Athletics <strong>Jamaal Walton<\/strong> said <a href=\"https:\/\/vmikeydets.com\/news\/2026\/6\/8\/athletics-thacker-announces-departure-from-vmi-swimming-diving.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">in a release upon his resignation<\/a>. &#8220;He elevated the program and represented VMI with class, respect, and enthusiasm.&#8221;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Army Hires Scott Thacker as Director of Swimming and Diving Army on Monday hired Scott Thacker as its director of men\u2019s and women\u2019s swimming and diving. Thacker, who was 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