Remembering Coach Bill Shaffer

In 29 years as the swimming & diving head coach at Jesuit, and the past 17 years in the same role for the Academy of the Holy Names, Bill Shaffer became the most successful swimming coach in Tampa Bay area history with six team State Championships, three at each school.

However, like all of the greatest coaches, Shaffer’s true legacy isn’t measured in titles won, but in lives impacted. Shaffer passed away suddenly on Sunday evening (Dec. 15), leaving behind generations of swimmers whose lives were positively influenced.

“Bill’s legacy at Jesuit is in the legions of ‘Men for Others’ who he has helped form through the swimming program,” said principal and interim president Mike Scicchitano. “The school is forever grateful for his extraordinary contributions. We are praying for his wife, Liz, the Shaffer family, and all who knew and loved Coach Shaffer.”

Shaffer was a remarkably successful coach and mentor who developed a swimming program based on the belief “swimming is family.” Hundreds of Tigers were a part of that family over the past three decades, cultivating a brotherhood and absorbing life lessons about dedication, generosity, perseverance, and teamwork.

“I will always remember how he encouraged us to swim for each other – our brothers at Jesuit and our sisters at AHN,” said Connor Bowen ’11. “He taught us to challenge one another during practice and to be each other’s biggest supporters during meets.”

Among those who benefited under his tutelage were his three sons. Tommy Shaffer ’16 (Army-West Point), Robbie Shaffer ’19 (Loyola New Orleans), and Nick Shaffer ’21 (Florida Atlantic) all became collegiate swimmers.

Shaffer began at Jesuit in 1996, and under his direction the Tigers have captured 28 consecutive District titles and 20 of the last 21 Region titles. In 2017, after years of top finishes at the State Meet, Jesuit became the first Hillsborough County swimming program to win a State title since the 1940s. The Tigers won State again in 2018 and 2020. AHN has earned State titles the past three seasons.

“Bill Shaffer developed Jesuit swimming into a pillar of Tiger athletics and the greater school community,” athletic director Terry Rupp said. “He was a giant in Florida swimming and a tremendous leader, who had the highest respect among his peers and was admired by his swimmers through the years.”

Each year during the District-Region-State playoffs, Jesuit swimmers clip off their hair to help them swim faster and to raise funds for the CailinStrong Foundation, in honor and memory of former AHN swimmer Cailin Cannella, who lost her courageous battle to osteosarcoma in 2017. This fall, the Tigers raised more than $5,000 through the annual event. Jesuit swimming also participates in the annual Spike & Splash cancer fundraising swim meet with AHN each season, which has generated more than $100,000 through the years.

Shaffer and his wife also operated the Academy Aquatic Club, a highly successful club swimming program based at the Academy of the Holy Names.

“Coach Bill leaves behind a remarkable legacy,” Bowen said. “May he rest in peace.”

Details about services will be communicated as they are made known.

Shaffer is pictured on the homepage with his 2020 State Championship team, with his son Nick in the center holding the trophy. For dozens more photos of Shaffer, go to the Facebook page Jesuit High School of Tampa.