Thomas Michael "Tom" Jager (born October 6, 1964 in Collinsville, Illinois

Collinsville, Illinois

Collinsville is a city located mainly in Madison County, and partially in St. Clair County, both in Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 26,016. Collinsville is approximately 12 miles from St. Louis, Missouri and is considered part of that city's Metro-East area...

) is a USA Olympic and former World Record holding freestyle

Freestyle swimming

Freestyle is an unregulated swimming style used in swimming competitions according to the rules of FINA. The front crawl stroke is almost universally used during a freestyle race, as this style is generally the fastest...

 swimmer. He swam on the 1984-92 USA Olympic teams—where he earned seven medals, including five golds—and held the World Record in the 50m free

World record progression 50 metres freestyle

The first world record in the men's 50 metres freestyle in long course swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation in 1976...

 at 3 different times, and at one point for over 10 years (May 1990-June 2000). He is an 11-time U.S. national champion; and a 5-time NCAA champion.

Family

Tom is the youngest of a family of swimming siblings. While under a swimming scholarship at the University of Iowa, eldest sister Diane was an All-American swimmer. Brother Bill qualified for Nationals while in high school, then went on to earn a full swimming scholarship at the University of Illinois. All three siblings went on to work as swimming coaches during their lifetimes. He has two sons Wyatt of 1996 and Cy of 1999, both swim for his swim club Gold Medal Swim Club.

In 2001 Jager was inducted in the International Swimming Hall of Fame

International Swimming Hall of Fame

The International Swimming Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame, located at One Hall of Fame Drive, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of swimming in the United States and around...

.

In 2004 he became the Head Coach of the University of Idaho

Idaho Vandals

The Idaho Vandals are the intercollegiate athletic teams of the University of Idaho. They participate in NCAA Division I - FBS in the Western Athletic Conference ....

women's swim team.

On May 2, 2011 Tom accepted the Head Coaching Job at Washington State University.