A legend of high school swimming and coaching in general has decided to call it quits.
Stan Corcoran, who over 33 years built McCallie School in Tennessee into one of the nation’s best programs, announced last week that he is retiring as head coach.
The 63-year-old Corcoran guided McCallie to 12 TISCA boys state championships, including the last three in a row.
Corcoran will hand the reigns of the program over to assistant Zane Hamilton, a former collegiate swimmer at Johns Hopkins and 2002 graduate of McCallie.
“This is a hard job,” Corcoran said in a press release from McCallie. “I’ve had one day off since the first of January and that was a snow day. I’ve had two knee replacements. (Wife) Kelly and I would like to get out and travel some while we still can. I’ll still be around. I’m going to assist Zane wherever I can. I just might skip a few Saturday morning workouts here and there.”
Corcoran helped guide McCallie to seven straight state championships between 1998-04.
“There are a couple of reasons why I think this is a good time to make this move,” said Corcoran. “No. 1, I think I’m leaving the program in a really great position. We’ve had 46 All-American swims over the last four years. We own five of the 12 state records in the events we swim. Nationally, we’ve become one of the top five or six programs in the country. And No. 2, I think Zane will do a great job. He’s been with me the last five years and he understands this program and this school and what makes it special.”
Hamilton still is a competitive swimmer, specializing in the 100 breaststroke in the 40-45 age group.
He now will try and continue what Corcoran spent more than three decades building.
“Filling Stan’s shoes, I don’t know if that’s possible,” Hamilton said. “But I’m going to work as hard as I can to keep this program at the level he’s always had it.”
Way T gooo Stan and Kelly!,, Orlando was tears ago!,,
Congrats brother!
Well deserved.
Time to work on golf game….
Yes! Legend! Well deserved. Still remember you winning your first championship in 1998 with a bunch of underdog road warriors who went no brakes down Shocker Road. Erik Moe. Lloyd Montgomery. Kert “the squirt” Johnson and even Coach Hamilton himself. That year ushered in the Stan Corcoran dominance we’ve witnessed for the past 25 plus years. Stay classy out there!
A class act, great coach and better human being. And a Mercersburg alum!
Stan will be missed!!
Glenn Neufeld
Mercersburg Academy (for a little bit more)
Stan you are a champion ever since you anchored the medley to a win at Easterns, a great friend and one who deserves the best life has to offer – Godspeed.
Happy retirement, Stan! I’ve always enjoyed your stories and sharing the pool deck at CARIFTA, Juniors, and HS meets. A special thanks for bringing your squad to Jacksonville last year and giving us (Bolles) our most intense dual meet in years. Wishing you and Kelly many fun, sun-filled trips in this next phase!