Coach Jeff Thompson

Jeff Thompson has developed a simple, four-word motto over nearly two decades as a swimming coach: Grit. Resilience. Reliability. Ownership. These simple but powerful words guide Thompson’s vision as a swimmer, coach, teacher, and administrator.

Before coming to Germantown Academy in fall 2014, Thompson spent 17 years as a USA Swimming Coach for the Terre Haute Torpedoes (IN) and 15 years as the head coach of the Terre Haute South Vigo High School boys’ and girls’ swim teams. With the Torpedoes, Thompson helped grow the club from 60 to 300 swimmers of all ages, as well as developed a learn-to-swim program and a Masters’ swim team. He has developed and mentored state champions, junior and senior national qualifiers, and sent swimmers to compete successfully at Division I colleges and universities. As the head coach of Vigo High School, Thompson led the team to its first boys’ sectional title in February 2010, while the girls’ team enjoyed 15 consecutive winning seasons. He also has experience in the planning, financing and building of two new pools in the Terre Haute area.

Thompson earned his Master of Science degree in coaching from Indiana State University and a bachelor’s degree in math education from the same school. Thompson, who swam competitively at University of Illinois, Urbana, also earned a bachelor’s degree from the school in civil engineering.

In his first year with the GA Varsity program in 2015, Thompson led the girls’ team to an Inter-Academic League title, and a fifth consecutive title at the Eastern Interscholastic Swimming and Diving Championships.

In addition to his posts as Director of Aquatics and Head Coach for the GA varsity swim program and the Germantown Academy Aquatic Club (GAAC), Thompson also teaches 5th Grade math in GA’s Lower School.