Courtesy: Simpson Athletics
INDIANOLA, Iowa — Simpson College announced today that Tom Caccia, head coach of the men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs, will retire from coaching.
Caccia came to Simpson in 2013, leading the Storm to new heights during his tenure. His swimmers set more than 130 school records in more than 35 events and achieved multiple academic honors over eight seasons. Caccia’s hall of fame career spanned nearly 40 years at both the high school and collegiate levels.
“Simpson Athletics would like to extend our sincere gratitude for the years of service that coach Tom Caccia dedicated to the college and the student-athletes in his programs,” Director of Athletics Marty Bell said. “He was a valued colleague to all and we wish him the very best in this next chapter of his life.”
During his career, Caccia coached 12 all-conference and all-liberal arts performers. Under Caccia’s tutelage, Kyle McKim won back-to-back Iowa Conference titles in the 100-yard breaststroke in 2014 and 2015. Christina Amburgy and McKim were named to the 2014 All-Liberal Arts Championship team and Danny Turner received the honor in 2020.
Outside of the pool, Caccia’s teams excelled in the classroom. His women’s teams compiled 16-straight College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America Scholar All-America Team awards while the men earned 13 honors during that span.
“I have enjoyed every minute of working with the staff and student-athletes at Simpson,” Caccia said. “This department is full of wonderful, dedicated people that are passionate about the success of their student-athletes and the College as a whole. My student-athletes have exceeded my expectations in the pool while maintaining excellence in academics. I’m confident they will be successful long after they leave Simpson.”
In 2019, Caccia was voted into the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the highest award presented by NISCA for leadership in interscholastic aquatics. Caccia became the 35th coach in NISCA history to be presented the top three awards of Outstanding Service on a National Level, the Collegiate/Scholastic Award for National Contributions to the sport and the Hall of Fame for success as a coach.
Prior to Simpson, Caccia spent more than 30 years establishing himself as one of the premier high school coaches in the state of Wisconsin. He was a four-time Wisconsin High School State Swimming Coach of the Year while at Platteville High School, earning the award on the girls’ side in 1999 and on the boys’ side in 2001, 2005 and 2006.
Caccia was a finalist for the national coach of the year award in 2006 after being selected as the Midwest Region Coach of the Year by the National Federation of High Schools.
As a student-athlete at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Caccia recorded a long list of accomplishments. After transferring from NCAA Division I Northern Illinois University, Caccia set 25 school records, led the team in scoring each season and was selected as a two-time team most valuable swimmer. He also qualified for nationals in the 400-yard individual medley on two occasions.
Caccia’s coaching career began in 1980 at Platteville High School, where he also served as a high school and middle school technology education instructor.
Caccia was inducted into the UW-Platteville Hall of Fame in 2011 for his contributions as both a student-athlete and coach. In 2003, Caccia was selected by Aquatic International Magazine as one of the top 100 Most Influential People in Aquatics in the United States, an honor that includes all of aquatics, not just coaching.
Tom and his wife, Theresa, have a daughter, Ashley, a son-in-law, Paul, and two grandchildren, Sean and Jillian.
Tom was a great coach, and mentor. As someone who saw him coach while I was a swimmer, and coached against him in the Iowa Conference, I saw Tom bring class to the pool deck everywhere he went. I wish him and his family all the best. Enjoy retirement Tom!