After 35 years at the helm of the University of Tennessee’s diving program, Dave Parrington — the longest-serving coach on Rocky Top and the most decorated diving coach in Southeastern Conference (SEC) history — has announced his retirement. His departure marks the end of an extraordinary era defined by championship glory, athlete mentorship, and an unshakable commitment to both sport and student-athletes. For over three decades, Parrington shaped Tennessee Diving into a nationally recognized powerhouse and established a legacy that will endure for generations.
From Olympic Competitor to Coaching Legend
Parrington’s journey to coaching greatness began far from Knoxville, in his native Zimbabwe. He was an elite athlete long before he became a legendary coach. A dual-sport talent, Parrington represented Zimbabwe in diving at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, competing in both the three-meter springboard and platform events. He was also a member of Zimbabwe’s national water polo team, showcasing an athletic versatility that would later inform his multifaceted coaching style.
Before arriving at the University of Tennessee, Parrington sharpened his coaching skills as the head diving coach at his alma mater, the University of Houston, where he spent seven years refining his approach. In 1990, he was named the head diving coach for the Volunteers, a move that would define not only his career but the very fabric of Tennessee Athletics.
A Dynasty of Titles and Talent
Parrington’s coaching resume is nothing short of astounding. Under his guidance, the Vols and Lady Vols diving programs reached unprecedented heights. He led his athletes to:
- 9 NCAA Titles (7 Men’s, 2 Women’s)
- 47 SEC Championships (31 Men’s, 16 Women’s)
- 19 SEC Diver of the Year awards (a conference record)
- 16 SEC Coach of the Year honors (also a conference record)
- 3 CSCAA National Diver of the Year honors
- 30 Top-Three NCAA Championship finishes
- 34 All-America honorees
- 104 SEC Championship medals
Beyond the accolades, Parrington created a culture that elevated every diver who joined the program. He had a rare ability to nurture talent, helping athletes exceed even their own expectations. His programs were never just about winning — they were about developing the whole person.
Coaching Olympians and Champions
Parrington’s influence extended far beyond the collegiate circuit. He coached three Olympians and mentored eight USA Diving national champions. His divers earned medals at the World Championships and the Commonwealth Games, proving that his coaching expertise translated to success on the world stage.
His peers in the diving community recognized his brilliance. In 2013, he was named the CSCAA National Women’s Diving Coach of the Year after leading the Lady Vols to a program-best third-place finish at the NCAA Championships. Parrington also served as head coach for Team USA at the 2014 FINA World Series in London and was a member of the coaching staff for Zimbabwe’s Olympic team in both 1996 and 2000.
More Than a Coach: A Lifelong Mentor
What truly set Parrington apart was his role as a mentor. To his divers, he wasn’t just a coach; he was a father figure, a confidant, and a motivator. His office door was always open. His understanding of each diver’s unique mental, emotional, and physical needs made him a beloved figure among his athletes.
Nick Stone, a standout junior diver under Parrington’s guidance, once described him as “a dad away from my dad.” It’s a sentiment echoed by dozens of athletes who credit Parrington with shaping not only their diving careers but their lives. His calm demeanor, deep understanding of the sport, and relentless focus on fundamentals helped his divers compete with poise and confidence.
Parrington’s holistic coaching style emphasized academic achievement, personal development, and mental toughness. He worked tirelessly to ensure that his athletes succeeded in and out of the water, often maintaining close relationships with former divers long after their collegiate careers had ended.
Impact on Tennessee Athletics
In 2008, Dave Parrington’s lasting influence was honored with the establishment of the Dave Parrington Tennessee Diving Scholarship. The endowment, made possible through a $250,000 donation by former Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer, was a testament to the deep respect Parrington commanded within the university. Fulmer’s daughter, a former Lady Vol diver, was among the many who thrived under Parrington’s coaching.
Throughout his career, Parrington worked alongside several generations of Tennessee athletic directors, swim coaches, and staff, adapting to changes and continuing to lead one of the university’s most consistently successful programs. His longevity alone is remarkable, but it’s his results and his relationships that stand as his most enduring contributions.
A Coach for All Seasons
Parrington was equally skilled at developing freshmen and refining elite talents. He approached each athlete with the same energy, whether they were walk-ons or future Olympians. His practices were known for their structure, intensity, and encouragement.
His philosophy: fundamentals matter. And while he pushed his athletes to perfect their form and techniques, he never lost sight of the human element. He understood that diving is as much mental as it is physical, and his ability to coach both mind and body set him apart.
Over the years, many of his athletes went on to become coaches themselves, spreading his teachings across the nation. In this way, Parrington’s impact continues to ripple through the sport.
The Final Season and Lasting Legacy
Parrington’s final season was a fitting bookend to a legendary career. His divers once again competed with excellence, representing Tennessee with pride on the SEC and national stages. Even in his last year, Parrington remained a driving force in recruiting, training, and mentoring young divers.
As he steps away from the deck, he does so with a legacy few can match. He retires as the winningest diving coach in SEC history and one of the most respected figures in collegiate athletics.
His mantra, “Winning is living,” encapsulates the philosophy that fueled his decades of success. But winning, in Parrington’s world, was never just about medals. It was about growth, grit, relationships, and resilience. It was about building champions in every sense of the word.
Looking to the Future
The future of Tennessee Diving will undoubtedly be shaped by the foundation Parrington built. His successor will inherit not just a program of talent, but a tradition of integrity, work ethic, and excellence.
Though his presence on the pool deck will be missed, Dave Parrington’s legacy will echo in every diver who takes the plunge at Tennessee. His is a career that will be celebrated for years to come, not just for what he accomplished, but for how he led with dignity, passion, and heart.
As the diving world reflects on the end of a legendary era, there is only one thing left to say:
Winning is Living. – Coach Dave
