Walker Thaning has served as the Head Coach of Rollins College swimming since March 2024 after being elevated from interim status. He assumed leadership of the program during the fall 2023 semester and guided the Tars through the spring season before officially being named head coach. Thaning previously served as an assistant coach at Rollins during the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons, giving him continuity and familiarity with the program’s culture, athletes, and competitive goals. In his current role, he oversees all aspects of the swimming program, including training design, recruiting, meet preparation, and athlete development.
Thaning brings both collegiate coaching experience and elite competitive credentials to the Rollins pool deck. In addition to his collegiate roles, he coached youth swimmers with the Brentwood Seawolves from 2018 to 2022, further expanding his background in long-term athlete development. As a swimmer, Thaning competed for the University of Kentucky from 2014 to 2018 as a member of the Wildcats program and qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 100- and 200-meter backstroke. His achievements in the sport were recognized with his induction into the Liberty High School Hall of Fame in 2024. Thaning resides in Florida with his wife, Hayley, and their dog, Honey, and continues to build the Rollins swimming program through a combination of technical expertise, competitive experience, and athlete-centered leadership.
