Frank Caroll, a renowned coach to Olympic figure skaters such as Michelle Kwan and Evan Lysacek, has passed away after a battle with cancer at the age of 85.
“U.S. Figure Skating mourns the loss of coaching icon Frank Carroll,” stated the organization. “A member of the World and U.S. Figure Skating Halls of Fame, Frank played a key role in the careers of numerous Olympic and World champions as well as future Hall of Famers.”
U.S. Figure Skating mourns the loss of coaching icon Frank Carroll.
A member of the World and U.S. Figure Skating Halls of Fame, Frank played a key role in the careers of numerous Olympic and World champions as well as future Hall of Famers. pic.twitter.com/OYpi16mMbj
— U.S. Figure Skating (@USFigureSkating) June 9, 2024
Carroll began his career in the sport by winning junior bronze medals at the 1959 and 1960 U.S. Championships. After skating professionally with Ice Follies for over four years, he transitioned to coaching full-time.
Over a span of 60 years, Carroll coached one Olympic champion, six Olympic medalists, and 11 Olympians from five countries at 10 Olympics, as mentioned by U.S. Figure Skating. He also coached three World champions, four World Junior champions, and six U.S. champions.
Several of his students achieved fame in the sport under Carroll’s guidance. He coached Linda Fratianna to two world championships and a 1980 Olympic silver medal, Timothy Goebel to two world silver medals and a 2002 Olympic bronze medal, and Evan Lysacek to a 2009 world championship and a 2010 Olympic gold medal — marking Carroll’s first student to secure the title.
He notably coached five-time world champion Michelle Kwan for most of her career, assisting her in winning silver and bronze Olympic medals in 1998 and 2002, respectively.
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“For over 10 years Frank was by my side — coaching and mentoring me to be the best skater and person that I can be,” expressed Kwan in a text message to USA Today. “He imparted a wealth of knowledge and history of the sport he loved so much. Beyond the ice and over time, he grew to be more than just a coach. I know he’s positively impacted the lives of countless skaters, and I’m thankful to be one of them; I wouldn’t have reached this point without his guidance. I love and miss Frank very much.”
Carroll was honored in the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1996 and the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2007. In 1997, he became the first figure skating coach to receive the title of Olympic Coach of the Year.
The esteemed figure retired from coaching in 2018, 23 days after his 80th birthday.
