Springfield College

John Taffe enters his 35th season as the head coach of the men's and women's swimming teams at Springfield College during the 2023-24 campaign. He also serves as an associate professor of physical education at The College. Under Taffe’s leadership, the Pride has remained one of the best collegiate swimming and diving programs in Division III.

Taffe has coached multiple All-Americans during his time at Springfield College, and at the 2017 NCAA Championships, the 2016 NEWMAC Swimming Coach of the Year helped lead standout senior Emily Medeiros to her fifth All-America honor as she took fourth overall in the 100 breaststroke.

With multiple connections to the Olympic Games, Taffe served as the head coach for the Netherlands-Antilles squad at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, coaching Springfield College All-American Howard Hinds. Additionally, Taffe has guided the tandem of Roy-Allan Burch and Justin Zook to international success as the duo competed in both the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics. Burch represented Bermuda in the pool while Zook competed in the Paralympics for the United States.  Most recently, Mikaili Charlemagne represented Saint Lucia in the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Prior to joining the Springfield College staff in 1989, Taffe served as the men's and women's coach at Mount Union College in Ohio for one season and head women's coach at East Carolina University for two years.

A native of Haverhill, Mass., Taffe attended the University of Rhode Island, where he was a five-time New England swimming champion as well as a two-time All-New England water polo selection for the Rams.

Taffe received his bachelor’s degree in physical education from URI in 1985 and his master’s degree in education from East Carolina in 1988. Taffe graduated from Haverhill High School in 1980 and was a member of the 1978 squad that captured the state swimming crown.

Coaching Highlights

• Has been named NEWMAC Swimming Coach of the Year nine times during his career, most recently in 2016, when he guided his student-athletes to six conference titles and 18 All-Conference honors.
• Helped Springfield College to six CSCAA Scholar All-America Team Awards during the 2021-22 season, including eight student-athletes that earned CSCAA Scholar All-America honors.
• Has led student-athletes to 186 All-America honors, including 18-time All-American Kellie Pennington ’14, who won a pair of National Championships in 2012 and 2014.
• Guided Springfield College to 10-straight NEWMAC Championships from 2000-2010
• Received the Charles E. Silvia Award as the New England Men’s Swimming Coach of the Year twice during his time with Springfield College.