John Proctor has cemented his legacy as one of the most distinguished diving coaches in collegiate athletics. Entering his ninth season as the head diving coach at Florida State University, Proctor John boasts a resume that is highlighted by the pinnacle of coaching achievements – guiding athletes to the Olympic Games. His tenure at FSU has been marked by consistent success, the development of elite divers, and recognition at both the conference and national levels.
Proctor’s arrival in Tallahassee in 2014 marked the beginning of a transformative era for the Florida State diving program. He inherited a talented group, including Katrina Young, and immediately made an impact. In his first season, Proctor John coached Young to All-American honors on the 1-meter springboard and an ACC title. Young’s silver medal on the platform at the ACC Championships that year was a precursor to her qualification for the NCAA Championships, setting the stage for future successes under Proctor’s guidance.
Alt text: Dynamic action shot of Katrina Young, Olympic diver, executing a platform dive with focused determination, embodying the athleticism nurtured under Coach Proctor John’s guidance at Florida State.
Young’s journey under Proctor John extended beyond her collegiate career. Remaining under his tutelage as a national team member, she honed her skills specifically in 10-meter events. This dedicated coaching led Young to achieve her Olympic dream, representing Team USA in the women’s 10-meter platform at not just one, but two Olympic Games. Her 13th place finish at the 2016 Games was a testament to her and Proctor’s hard work, and she continued to excel, securing two bronze medals at the 2019 FINA World Championships in the 10-meter synchro and mixed team event, further solidifying Proctor John’s reputation on the international stage.
Beyond Katrina Young, Proctor John has been instrumental in shaping the careers of some of Florida State’s most celebrated divers. Molly Carlson stands out as one of the most decorated divers in FSU history. Under Proctor John’s mentorship, Carlson became a two-time ACC Diver of the Year (2017, 2020) and only the second Seminole to be named ACC Diving Meet MVP three times. Her dominance at the 2020 ACC meet, winning gold on both platform and 3-meter, and silver on 1-meter, made her the first FSU diver to podium in all three events at a single ACC Championship. Carlson’s impressive collegiate career included six ACC medals, three of them gold.
Alt text: Focused image of Molly Carlson, celebrated FSU diver, mid-air during a complex dive routine, showcasing the peak athletic performance developed through Proctor John’s coaching program.
Carlson’s accolades extended beyond the pool. She was recognized as the 2020 ACC Swimming and Diving Scholar Athlete of the Year, a first for a Seminole, and a four-time All-ACC Academic Team member. Her academic and athletic excellence culminated in CoSIDA Academic All-America honors. After her historic FSU career under Proctor John, Carlson transitioned to high diving and now represents Team Canada on the prestigious Red Bull Cliff Diving circuit, demonstrating the versatility and foundational skills instilled by her college coach.
Ayla Bonniwell, Carlson’s classmate, shared in the spotlight of Proctor John’s program. The 2020 ACC Championships saw Carlson and Bonniwell achieve a 1-2 finish on the 3-meter springboard, marking the eighth time in school history and the first time since 2004 that Seminole divers achieved such a feat at the ACCs. Bonniwell was also a four-time NCAA qualifier and earned All-America honorable mention on 1-meter in 2017 after securing the ACC title. Together, Carlson and Bonniwell propelled the women’s team to a leading score at the 2017 ACC Championships, showcasing the depth of talent nurtured by Proctor John. Bonniwell, like Carlson, also excelled academically, earning multiple All-ACC academic team honors and CoSIDA Academic All-American recognition.
The 2019-20 season highlighted the breadth of Proctor John’s coaching prowess. He guided Carlson, Bonniwell, Joshua Davidson, and Cam Thatcher to NCAA qualifications after their medal-winning performances at the ACC Championships. This success led to Proctor John being named ACC Female Diving Coach of the Year for the second time, the only FSU coach to receive this honor multiple times. Davidson’s ACC title in the 1-meter event was particularly significant, marking the first time a Seminole had won an ACC diving event since 2010. Davidson’s five career ACC medals, and selection to the USA Diving High Performance Squad, underscored Proctor John’s ability to develop male divers to the same high standards as his female athletes.
Alt text: Image capturing Joshua Davidson, accomplished male diver, in a powerful dive pose, illustrating the comprehensive diving program under Proctor John that cultivates talent across genders at FSU.
Continuing to navigate challenges, including the pandemic, Proctor John coached Davidson to his fourth NCAA Championships and saw rookie Jesco Helling advance to the Zone B Diving Championships in the 2020-21 season. The 2023 NCAA Championships saw Samantha Vear achieve Second Team All-America honors, placing 10th on 1-meter, and Tazaman Abramowicz also compete in the men’s 3-meter final, further demonstrating the consistent high level of performance from Proctor John’s divers. Academically, Abramowicz and Helling were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, reflecting Proctor John’s emphasis on student-athlete success both in and out of the pool.
Earlier in his FSU tenure, in 2018, Proctor John’s divers earned five medals at the ACC Championships, including a gold from Blaire Mulka. Dylan Grisell became the first Seminole diver to earn back-to-back All-America honors on platform, and Cassidy Gebhart also earned an NCAA bid in 2016 under his guidance.
Before his successful collegiate coaching career, Proctor John spent 15 years as the Program Director and Head Diving Coach of City of Midland (COM) Aquatics in Texas. He transformed COM Aquatics into a nationally recognized program, producing over 50 junior national champions and consistently coaching finalists at USA Diving National Meets. His program was designated a USA Diving Center of Excellence in 2011. Proctor John’s influence extends beyond program direction; he has served in various roles with USA Diving, including Coaching Representative on the Board of Directors, contributing to the sport’s development at a national level. His invitation to join the USA Diving staff at the FINA Grand Prix in 2012 highlights his respected position within the international diving community.
Proctor John’s career is a testament to his dedication to athlete development, program building, and achieving excellence at every level of competition. From nurturing young talents to guiding Olympians, Proctor John continues to shape the future of diving at Florida State and beyond.
