Former World Record holder Andy Coan passed away on Monday at 59 years old, succumbing to liver cancer.
Courtesy of Tennessee Athletics
Coan grew up swimming at Pine Crest School in the 1970s, and at just 17 years old he broke Jim Montgomery’s 12-day-old World Record in the 100 meter freestyle when he swam 51.11. The record, done at a low-level AAU regional meet, was .01 seconds under Montgomery’s previous record, which in turn was held before that by the legendary Mark Spitz. That year he also swam a 43.99 to break the National High School Record in the 100 yard free – a time that stood for 16 years until Joe Hudepohl broke it.
Coan would only hold his mark for 20 days before Montgomery took it back (and proceeded to improve it by more than a second over the next year).
Coan, of the University of Tennessee, was an individual NCAA Champion in the 50 and 100 yard freestyles in 1978 – and that same year helped the Volunteers to become the first SEC team to ever win an NCAA team title in swimming. In all, he had 7 NCAA event titles.
Coan won 3 medals at the 1975 FINA World Aquatics Championships, including an individual in the 100 free.
After missing the 1976 Olympic and 1978 Worlds teams, Coan was in a car accident in 1979, after NCAAs, that broke both of his wrists and fractured his right knee cap. He came back to win the 50 free at the 1980 championships, and retired as a result of the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games. Coan was not one of the swimmers who opted to swim through the 1980 Trials that selected a team that already was without hope of a trip to Moscow for the Games.
Coan wound up serving as an assistant coach at Pine Crest rivals St. Andrew’s School from 2010-2012, where he worked with ISHOF inductee Sid Cassidy.
“Andy Coan was not only a good friend of mine but he was a great friend to the aquatic community,” Cassidy said in remembrance. “Way beyond his incredible accomplishments in the pool during his competitive career was his gift of earnest friendship and devotion. He brought the most positive attitude to the pool every day and his legacy will continue to live on through his son Richard and those he touched with his kindness.”
In 2015, Coan was diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome, a disease linked to immune system function. There is some studies that have indicated a link between this condition and increased risk for cancer, though that link is not yet widely understood.
Coan is the second member of the U.S. National Team of that era to have died this month. Brian Roney, who did swim at the 1980 Olympic Trials and finished in the top 3, passed earlier this month just shy of his 57th birthday.
He was our swim coach for the 2016 season at west boca high
Coonskin hats. Timettes on surfboards. Showtime for Swimming. One of the great Volunteers.
Sad. He was a giant when I was a younger age-grouper, and I read about him in Swimming World avidly. Swam at the same AAU (remember AAU?) meet once – I begged my Dad to stay and watch him swim and thought that was what I wanted to do. Swim that beautifully and that fast. Well, very few people ever did. And to hear he was a true gentleman makes it even more poignant.
RIP Mr. Coan and condolences to your family.
Yes, it seems us baby boomers are dying off I remember he was an elite swimmer of the time. AAU, was the body of swimming when I swam from 1969 to 1975.
It was an honor and a privilege to have swam with Andy, but even more so to have had him as my friend. I will miss him dearly. He loved his son with all his heart, and he did not want to die but he handled it with class and dignity. A true giant in our sport. Who shatters both wrists, amd comes back a yr later to win NCAA’s? Andy did. One of the best freestyles sprinters to ever live.
Andy Coan was admired and respected, not just by those in the swimming world, but by many of us in the diving community as well. He had a way about him that was genuine and real and I know many of us in the diving end of the pool will miss him greatly. My UMiami teammates would stand to watch Andy swim out of sheer reverence for him. I always thought that was pretty cool. I’ll miss you Andy.
I was an average swimmer, I got better because of the hard work, I watched many a final with Andy in lane four and Kirk Peppas in lane five . Even once at sheelerwinton pool. Andy looked effortless compared to the strong Kirk these were races decided by an eighth of a second
Andy was adear friend of my husband ed and mine and we were neighbors for over 20 years.. he taught all three of infants to swim on our pool ; we were there at his wedding, when Richard was born and we will miss him dearly. We know that he is rejoicing pain free in the presence of his Savior!! On this truth we find comfort! We pray that Richard will know that as he grows up , and we pray for the little guys heart that is so so sad today !
I swam with Andy at the University of Tennessee. I was a freshman and Andy was our Captain. Yes he was a great fast swimmer but most importantly he was an incredible person that took the time to help a little freshman from michigan adjust to college life and swimming in the SEC. Being a swim coach for Pine Crest for 15 years I saw Andy a lot and remained friends to this day. He was geniune and a great person. He was always positive and helped so many people. I will miss you my friend!