Coach Dillon

Duffy Dillon (Head Coach) is entering his 13th year at the helm of the Cardinal Gibbons team. He also directs the city's swim programs and coaches the Fort Lauderdale Aquatics club teams. After an All-American career at the University of Florida, Duffy has spent the past 23 years coaching world-class athletes. He has served the sport as a leader on numerous boards and committees, and has hosted every competitive level of swim meet. Duffy has also coached the CGHS Water Polo teams since they began play in 2009.
 
Under Coach Dillon, the Aqua Chiefs have won nine district titles. In the past twelve years, the boys have finished top-eight at state ten times and the girls six times. Dillon has coached individuals to four state titles. He has led the city's hosting of the FHSAA Finals four times (2001-02, 2005-06). In 2004, he led the effort to resurrect the BCAA Conference Championships, and has hosted them ever since. Coach Dillon serves on the FHSAA Swimming Advisory Committee (2001-02, 2008-11).
 
At the University of Florida (1983-87), Coach Dillon was recognized as both an All-American and an Academic All-American. He was a two-time NCAA champion, and helped lead the Gators to the team championship in 1984 under Coach Randy Reese. Their 800 Freestyle Relay's time broke NCAA and American records. Duffy went on to win nine USA Swimming national championships (__). He earned his BS in finance from Florida, then an MBA in international marketing from San Jose State University and a BA in accounting from Florida Atlantic.
 
In high school, Duffy won six state titles swimming for Lauderdale High under coach Jack Nelson. He won two with the 500 yard freestyle relay and four individual titles: in the 100, 200, and 500 freestyle. Duffy was twice named Florida High School Swimmer of the Year.
  
Coach Dillon coached in California and Missouri before returning to Ft. Lauderdale in 1998: in San Jose (1987-88), Santa Clara (1988-89), Fresno (1990-93), and St. Louis (1993-98). He returned to Lauderdale as the Head Senior Coach for the Fort Lauderdale Swim Team. Coach Dillon re-launched the FLST as Fort Lauderdale Aquatics in 2004 and was appointed the city's Aquatics Director. He oversees a program that works with all ages while offering lessons and camps in the city's seven pools. While many of the program's services are offered at their flagship Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Complex, operations from Boca Raton to Miami are now under their umbrella. Coach Dillon is an American Swimming Coaches Associtation Level 5 Certified Coach (the youngest ever), and Level 5 Certified by USA Swimming. He was Panama's national coach for the 2000 Olympic Games. Coach Dillon has served on the USAS Board of Directors (2003-07) and as the chairman of Florida Gold Coast Swimming.