AUBURN, Ala. – A historic career has come to a close as Auburn head diving coach Jeff Shaffer announced his retirement on Monday after 24 illustrious seasons. Shaffer helped Auburn to multiple NCAA and Southeastern Conference team and individual titles during his tenure on the Plains.
 
"Auburn is and will continue to be an incredibly special place for me and my family," Shaffer said. "I appreciate the opportunity to have served the student-athletes and Auburn University these past 24 years.
 
"I'd like to thank all the divers and their families who put their trust and faith in me. I'd be remiss not to thank David Marsh for giving me the opportunity here on the Plains and making diving a key contribution to Auburn's success. Lastly, I'd like to thank eight-time Olympic coach Ron O'Brien, who gave me my first professional coaching position and mentored me to become the coach that I am today."
 
In over two-plus decades at Auburn, Shaffer coached some of the Tigers' most prestigious student-athletes. His tenure included seven NCAA Individual Champions, 27 SEC Champions and 108 All-America honors.
 
"Coach Shaffer has been the center point of Auburn Diving for the last 24 years," said head coach Ryan Wochomurka. "We are incredibly appreciative of his dedication to this program, this university, and this community. Jeff has mentored Auburn men and women to SEC Championships, NCAA Championships and the Olympic Games. We look forward to Jeff and Jenny's new journey and wish them the very best in their next chapter."
 
While on the Plains, Shaffer's divers played integral roles in 12 of Auburn's NCAA team titles and 18 SEC Championships on both the women's and men's sides. Twice, Shaffer was awarded NCAA Diving Coach of the Year. He was also honored as the SEC Diving Coach of the Year on eight separate occasions.
 
"Coach Shaffer is synonymous with Auburn Diving, and his commitment to Auburn student-athletes is unmatched," said Athletics Director John Cohen. "Jeff's accomplishments will be forever engrained into the fabric of Auburn, and we wish him well in his retirement."
 
His success in the diving well started in his first recruiting class which included Caesar Garcia and Ashley Rubenstein. Garcia would go on to become a two-time NCAA Platform champion, the SEC and NCAA Male Diver of the Year in 2004 and an Olympian.
 
Along with Garcia and Rubenstein, Kelly Marx, Dan Mazzaferro, Vennie Dantin, Anna Aguero, Thad Ellis, John Santeiu, Scott Lazeroff and Allison Maillard are just a few of the many outstanding divers Shaffer molded throughout his time at Auburn. Most recently, it was Opelika, Alabama's own Conner Pruitt who wrapped up a prolific career with six All-America honors, including an 11th-place finish on the 3-meter at the 2023 National Championships.
 
Shaffer was also no stranger to the international stage. Shaffer served as the United States head diving coach at the Goodwill Games twice (1994 and 1998). He was also an assistant during the 1997 FINA World Cup, the 2003 World University and the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. In 2005, Shaffer was the U.S. Co-Head Coach at the World University Games.
 
The growth of Shaffer's divers extended well beyond the pool. Five of Shaffer's student-athletes were awarded Auburn University's Cliff Hare Award. Presented annually since 1958, the Cliff Hare Award honors a senior student-athlete for academic and athletic success as well as leadership, integrity, and courage. Auburn divers to earn the award include Caesar Garcia (2005), Steven Segerlin (2007), Dan Mazzaferro (2011), Frazer McKean (2015) and Justin Youtsey (2016).
 
Shaffer and his wife, Jenny, have two daughters, Amy and Kelly, and a son J.J. (Jeffrey Jr.). Amy was part of the Track and Field program for the Tigers from 2006-08, J.J. was a member of Auburn's Baseball team from 2013-17, and Kelly was part of Samford University's soccer team from 2007-11.