Carol Capitani stands as one of the most accomplished and influential figures in collegiate and international swimming. Currently serving as the head coach of the University of Texas women’s swimming and diving program, Capitani has established herself as a transformative leader, exceptional talent developer, and pioneer for women in coaching. Her impact extends from the collegiate ranks to the international stage, where she has guided Team USA to numerous successes while breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated profession.
Career Trajectory and Development
From Georgia Assistant to Texas Leader
Carol Capitani’s coaching journey has been marked by strategic career moves and consistent excellence. Before becoming the head coach at Texas, she spent 14 years at the University of Georgia during two different stints. She served as an assistant coach for 12 years (1996-2008) before returning to Athens in 2010 as associate head coach for two seasons. Between these Georgia tenures, Capitani expanded her international experience by working as the assistant head coach for the Singapore National Team from 2009-10.
Her time at Georgia proved instrumental in developing her coaching philosophy and approach. Working alongside legendary coach Jack Bauerle, Capitani contributed to four NCAA team titles (1999, 2000, 2001, and 2005) and seven NCAA second-place finishes with the Lady Bulldogs. This period also saw her help the Georgia men’s program achieve six top-10 NCAA finishes and secure five Southeastern Conference championships.
On April 20, 2012, The University of Texas announced Capitani as the new women’s swimming and diving head coach, making her the 10th head coach in program history. Texas Women’s Athletics Director Chris Plonsky highlighted Capitani’s appointment by describing her as “a strong program manager, technical coach and trainer,” but emphasized that what truly distinguished her were “her skills as a master motivator and communicator.”
Building a Legacy at Texas
Since taking the helm at Texas in 2012, Capitani has methodically transformed the program into a perennial national contender. Her commitment to excellence and strategic vision have produced remarkable consistency at the highest levels of competition. Capitani has now completed her 12th season leading the Longhorns program, continuing to build on an impressive foundation of success.
The numbers speak to her extraordinary impact:
- 12 consecutive Big 12 Conference Championships (2013-2024)
- NCAA top-10 finishes in 10 of her 12 seasons
- Three consecutive national runner-up finishes at the NCAA Championships from 2022-2024
This recent three-year stretch of runner-up results marks the Longhorns’ best performance since the 1990-1992 era, demonstrating Capitani’s ability to restore and enhance the program’s historical excellence.
Her leadership has been recognized through ten Big 12 Conference Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year awards (2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), reflecting both her peers’ respect and the program’s consistent dominance in conference competition.
Coaching Excellence and Athlete Development
Cultivating Champions
One of Capitani’s most significant strengths lies in her ability to develop individual talent while building cohesive teams. Under her guidance at Texas, 56 Longhorns have earned All-America accolades, demonstrating her exceptional eye for talent and skill in maximizing potential. Three student-athletes have won NCAA Championships during her tenure:
- Laura Sogar (2013, 200-yard breaststroke)
- Lydia Jacoby (2023, 100-yard breaststroke)
- Emma Sticklen (2023-24, 200-yard butterfly)
Beyond collegiate competition, Capitani has successfully prepared swimmers for international success. She molded Madisyn Cox into a bronze medalist in the 200m IM at the 2017 FINA World Championships, showcasing her ability to develop world-class talent. This combination of collegiate and international achievements speaks to her versatility as a coach and her understanding of the different demands required at various competitive levels.
Creating a Team Culture
Capitani’s impact extends beyond technical coaching to creating an environment where athletes can thrive both in and out of the pool. Her swimmers consistently praise her leadership style and the positive culture she cultivates. Olympian Leah Smith, who specifically chose to relocate to Austin to train with Capitani, noted: “Carol is a great leader. She brings the best energy to practice.”
This sentiment is echoed by her collegiate athletes, with Texas senior Kelly Pash describing her as “such a good role model to me and all my teammates,” adding that their relationship has “blossomed and turned into something so wonderful.” These testimonials reveal Capitani’s ability to connect with her athletes on a personal level while maintaining professional standards of excellence.
International Coaching Experience
Team USA Leadership
Capitani’s expertise has been recognized at the highest levels of USA Swimming, where she has served in multiple leadership roles. She has been appointed as head coach for the U.S. Women’s National Team three times, most recently at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships. Her international coaching resume also includes serving as head coach for the 2017 World University Games and the 2013 Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool.
Additionally, she has contributed as an assistant coach with USA Swimming, including at the 2022 FINA World Championships and the 2013 World University Games. Most recently, she served as an assistant coach for Team USA’s Olympic swim team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, further cementing her place among America’s elite swimming coaches.
Her appointment as the head coach for the U.S. Women’s team at World Championships was particularly significant, as it represented a rare opportunity for female leadership at this level. As noted in coverage of her appointment, this hadn’t been accomplished in over a decade, making her selection both an honor and a breakthrough moment for women in coaching.
International Impact
Capitani’s effectiveness on the international stage was particularly evident at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships, where under her leadership as head coach, the United States women’s and men’s teams combined to win an impressive 38 medals (7 gold, 20 silver, 11 bronze) – 13 more than any other competing federation. American swimmers Kate Douglass (200m IM) and Katie Ledecky (800m freestyle, 1500m freestyle) won World titles in their respective events, while the 4×100 medley relay team of Regan Smith, Lilly King, Gretchen Walsh, and Douglass also captured gold.
This international success demonstrates Capitani’s ability to unify athletes from different programs and backgrounds into a cohesive, high-performing team – a skill that requires both technical knowledge and exceptional interpersonal abilities.
Coaching Philosophy and Approach
Intuitive and Adaptive Leadership
Capitani is known for her “intuitive coaching” style, recognizing that seasons, meets, and practices won’t always be perfect and requiring confidence in plans while making necessary adjustments based on observation. This approach allows her to respond effectively to the unique needs of individual athletes while maintaining overall program direction.
Her coaching philosophy emphasizes deep connections over superficial interactions. As she explained following her experience at the 2024 Paris Olympics: “I’m not a big fan of small talk… I kind of dig in pretty quick,” noting that “it’s a lot more fun when we know each other and then we can mess around and push each other.” This preference for meaningful relationships creates an environment where athletes feel both supported and challenged.
Competitive Drive and Excellence
Underlying Capitani’s coaching approach is a fierce competitive spirit. She brings this competitive edge to her coaching, creating an atmosphere of excellence and high expectations. As she humorously revealed about herself after the 2024 Olympics, her family “doesn’t like playing with me for some reason just because maybe I like to win.” This competitive nature has clearly translated into her coaching success, as evidenced by the consistent achievements of her teams.
Breaking Barriers as a Female Coach
Representation in a Male-Dominated Field
Capitani’s success takes on additional significance when considering the gender imbalance in swimming coaching, particularly at elite levels. Along with coaches like Teri McKeever, she is recognized as one of the few women leading top-tier NCAA Division I programs in what remains a predominantly male profession.
Swimming World Magazine specifically identified Capitani as a “current trailblazer for female NCAA head coaches,” noting that her “success and presence has greatly influenced the college swimming landscape and established [her] as significant [icon] for aspiring female coaches.” This recognition highlights not just her coaching achievements but also her important role in expanding opportunities for women in the profession.
Creating Pathways for the Future
Capitani’s visibility as a successful female coach at both the collegiate and international levels provides an essential model for aspiring coaches. Her appointment as head coach for the U.S. team at international competitions helps normalize female leadership in high-profile roles traditionally occupied by men.
The importance of this representation is reflected in her swimmers’ reactions to her international appointments. When she was named head coach for the World Championships, her Texas swimmer Kelly Pash described running into practice and hugging her in celebration, noting “it’s not very often you see a female as a head coach for the United States.”
Recent Developments and Future Direction
Olympic Experience and Program Evolution
Fresh from her experience as an assistant coach for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Capitani continues to evolve as a coach. She noted that her previous experiences with USA Swimming in 2022 and 2023 helped her connect with athletes at the Olympics, demonstrating how she builds relationships across multiple competitions and years.
At Texas, Capitani is adapting to new program structures, including collaboration with renowned coach Bob Bowman, who now heads the men’s program. While Capitani remains in charge of the women’s program, they are implementing combined practices on Friday afternoons and exploring other opportunities for collaboration to “move both teams forward.” This willingness to adapt and find new approaches illustrates her commitment to continued growth and innovation.
Legacy and Recognition
Capitani’s contributions to swimming have earned her significant recognition within the sport. In 2021, she was named one of the 100 Greatest College Coaches by the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) during the organization’s Centennial Celebration. This honor places her among the most influential figures in the history of collegiate swimming.
As she continues her career, Capitani’s legacy continues to grow through both her direct coaching accomplishments and the broader impact she has on the sport’s culture and leadership. Her pioneering role as a female coach at the highest levels helps create pathways for greater diversity in coaching ranks while her technical excellence ensures her place among the elite coaches of her generation.
Conclusion
Carol Capitani represents the ideal of a modern swimming coach – technically proficient, emotionally intelligent, and continuously evolving. From her foundational years at Georgia to her leadership at Texas and on the international stage, she has demonstrated an exceptional ability to develop talent, build successful programs, and navigate the complexities of elite sport.
Her significance extends beyond her impressive win-loss record or championship totals to include her pioneering role for women in coaching and her impact on the culture of swimming. As she continues to guide the Texas program while contributing to USA Swimming’s international efforts, Capitani remains one of the most important and influential figures in American swimming – a trailblazer whose full impact may only be fully appreciated in the decades to come as more women follow the path she has helped to create.
