Tom Daley: From Olympic Champion to UCLA Assistant Coach

Thomas Robert Daley, an English retired diver, YouTuber, and television personality, has transitioned from a celebrated athlete to an assistant coach at UCLA. His journey is marked by Olympic medals, world championships, and a significant impact on the sport of diving. This article explores Daley's career, his transition to coaching, and his involvement with UCLA.

Early Life and Diving Career

Born on May 21, 1994, Daley began diving at the age of eight, quickly demonstrating exceptional talent. He joined Plymouth Diving Club and made an impact in national and international competitions from age nine. His early achievements include winning a medal at the National Novice Championships in April 2003 and winning the platform competition in the National Junior (under-18) group in June 2004, becoming the youngest winner of that event.

Rise to Prominence

Daley's career took off in the mid-2000s. In 2005, he competed as a guest in the Australian Elite Junior Nationals, placing first in the platform and second in the 3m springboard in the 14-15 age group event. He also placed second in platform and third in 3 m springboard at the 2005 Aachen Junior International.

Academic Pursuits

Daley balanced his athletic commitments with his education, taking his GCSEs in small batches. In 2012, he completed his A-levels in mathematics, Spanish, and photography. He opted out of the International Baccalaureate course due to the pressures of preparing for the 2012 Olympics.

International Success

In January 2007, Daley was granted special dispensation to compete at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival at the age of twelve, despite the usual minimum age being fifteen. Later that year, he won the senior platform title at the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) National Championships. He also began competing on the International Swimming Federation's (FINA) international diving circuit, achieving two fourth-place finishes in individual competition.

Olympic Journey

Daley's Olympic journey began at a young age, representing Great Britain in multiple Games. He is an Olympic champion in the men's synchronized 10-metre platform event at the 2020 Olympics. He is also a double world champion in the FINA 10-metre platform event, winning in 2009 at the age of fifteen, and again in 2017.

Daley is an Olympic bronze medallist in the 2012 platform event, the 2016 synchronised event, and the 2020 platform event. He won the silver medal in the men's synchronised 10-metre at the 2024 Olympics, making him the first British diver to win five Olympic medals. Daley also competed in team events, winning the inaugural mixed team World title in 2015, and repeating the win in 2024, his fourth World title in all.

Key Moments and Achievements

2007 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Young Personality award: Won for his outstanding achievements in diving.
2008 FINA Diving World Cup: Won bronze in synchro with Blake Aldridge, setting a British record and becoming the youngest ever male medallist in a world diving event.
2008 Beijing Olympics: Qualified for the individual 10 m dive competition and the 10 m platform synchro competition.
2009 FINA World Championships: Became world champion in the 10 m platform event at the age of fifteen.
2010 Commonwealth Games: Won gold in diving with Max Brick.
2012 London Olympics: Won a bronze medal in the 10m platform event.
2016 Rio Olympics: Won a bronze medal in the synchronized 10 m platform with Daniel Goodfellow.
2020 Tokyo Olympics: Became an Olympic champion in the men's synchronized 10-metre platform event.
2024 Paris Olympics: Won a silver medal in the men's synchronised 10-metre, becoming the first British diver to win five Olympic medals.

Challenges and Triumphs

Daley's career has not been without its challenges. He faced bullying in school and dealt with the loss of his father to cancer in 2011. Despite these hardships, he continued to excel in his sport, demonstrating resilience and determination.

Media Presence

Daley has also made a name for himself outside of diving. After the 2012 Summer Olympics, he became involved in the ITV celebrity diving reality TV show Splash! as an expert adviser. He created a YouTube channel in 2010, covering various topics such as vlogs, exercise, and food. In 2013, he released a video announcing that he had been in a relationship with a man since early that year. In June 2025, the documentary Tom Daley: 1.6 seconds was released, exploring his life and career.

Transition to Coaching at UCLA

Since September 2023, Daley has been a member of the UCLA Swimming and Diving program as an assistant diving coach. Aside from coaching fellow divers at UCLA, Daley has trained at UCLA since July 2023. His biography on the staff directory describes that he is a five-time Olympian and is the UCLA assistant coach for the 2024 season.

Impact on UCLA

Daley's presence at UCLA has brought significant attention to the university's swimming and diving program. His experience and expertise are invaluable to the athletes he coaches.

UCLA Athletes at the 2024 Olympics

Daley participated in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games from July 29 to Aug. 1. Daley topped the Bruins’ performance by earning a silver medal alongside his diving partner Noah Williams in the men’s 10-meter synchronized dive event, totaling 463.44 points to place second behind China. Daley’s silver medal is the fifth Olympic medal of his career, making him the most decorated British diver in history.

Other UCLA Staff at the 2024 Olympics

Daley was not the only member of UCLA to be a part of the 2024 Olympics. The following information about each UCLA coach at the games is from the UCLA Athletics webpage on the Olympics, corresponding to the time of publishing:

Current UCLA Coaches

Janelle McDonald: The R.C. Rothman UCLA Head Gymnastics coach since May 2022, McDonald was the Philippines Gymnastics coach at the Olympics.
Alfred “Alfee” Reft: The head coach of the UCLA Women’s Volleyball team since December 2022, Reft was the USA Women’s Volleyball assistant coach at the Olympics.
John Speraw: Speraw was at the Olympics as the head coach of the USA Men’s Volleyball team. Speraw was the assistant coach of the UCLA Men’s Volleyball team between 1996-2002 and head coach for 12 seasons, since 2013. Additionally, Speraw competed as a UCLA athlete between 1992-1995.

Previous UCLA Coaches

Molly Cahill: Cahill was the USA Women’s Water Polo assistant coach for the 2024 Games. Cahill was part of the UCLA coaching staff for 10 seasons - eight as the assistant coach of the UCLA Women’s Water Polo team. Cahill also competed as a Bruin between 2004-2007.
Adam Krikorian: Krikorian was the head coach of the USA Women’s Water Polo team in Paris. Krikorian was also a coach at UCLA from 1999-2009 and competed as a UCLA athlete from 1992-1995.

UCLA Alumni

Karch Kiraly: As UCLA alumnus, Kiraly competed from 1979-1982 and went to the Olympics himself as an athlete. Kiraly was the head coach of the USA Women’s Volleyball team.
Noelle Quinn: Quinn competed at UCLA between 2004-2007 in basketball. Quinn was the Canada team’s Women’s Basketball assistant coach in the Games.
Sue Enquist: Enquist competed on the UCLA Softball team between 1975-1978. Enquist was the assistant coach of the UCLA Softball team between 1980-1988 and the head coach from 1989-2006. Enquist was the USA Women’s Volleyball culture consultant.
Erik Sullivan: Sullivan was the USA Men’s Volleyball team manager at the Olympics.

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