LEXINGTON, Va. – On Monday, former VMI Swimming & Diving Head Coach Scott Thacker announced his departure from the program after spending four seasons at the helm of both men's and women's programs.
 
Thacker, who served as the Keydets' head coach since 2022, will lead the Army-West Point program as the Director of Swimming & Diving.
 
"I want to thank Scott for his service and the impact he has made within the swimming and diving program and VMI," says VMI Director of Athletics Jamaal Walton. "He elevated the program and represented VMI with class, respect, and enthusiasm."
 
The 2025-26 season was a special one as Thacker piloted his squads during his fourth season at the helm. During the regular season, Thacker led the men to a 4-3 record, earning a winning record in back-to-back seasons. In total, the men broke 10 team records and had 35 top-10 all-time performances. The women shattered 20 team records and had 33 all-time top-10 marks, while earning a Division-I victory in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2014-16. Thacker also had two Keydets earn America East weekly awards.
 
In the conference championship meet, VMI's men finished in fourth, the highest placement in the Thacker era, with four medals. The VMI women secured 159 points, the highest total in any conference meet, along with posting the most scoring swims at any conference meet. Thacker had 11 Keydets qualify for the CSCAA National Invitational Championship. The Keydets placed 22nd in the invite, the highest placement in program history, and scored 148.5 points, the most points in this meet in program history.
 
"Our swimming and diving program is in a great place, and I'm excited to find our next leader who is committed to delivering a first-class cadet-athlete experience and winning championships," continues Walton. "A national search for a swimming and diving head coach is underway."
 
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