Coach John LaCava ’81 has served with the Maryville College men’s and women’s soccer programs in both part-time and full-time assistant coaching roles since 1993, making him one of the longest-tenured members of the coaching staff.

LaCava was inducted into the Maryville College Wall of Fame in 2020 in recognition of his long-standing contributions to the College as both a student-athlete and coach.

He began his coaching career at the high school level as an assistant boys soccer coach at Sevier County High School and South-Doyle High School before being named head boys coach at Farragut High School in 1991. In three seasons leading the Admirals, he guided the program to three regional championships, two state Final Four appearances, and a 48-13-4 overall record, establishing one of the top programs in the region during that span.

LaCava joined Maryville College as a full-time assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s programs from 1994 to 2000, contributing significantly to the development and growth of both teams during a key period in program history. He has remained closely connected to the program since that time, continuing to support both teams in an assistant coaching role.

In addition to his coaching duties, LaCava has built a long career in education and currently teaches in the Maryville City School System, where he specializes in Autism Spectrum Disorders. His work in education reflects a long-standing commitment to student development both on and off the field.

A former two-sport student-athlete at Maryville College, LaCava earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1981. He was a two-time All-South selection in wrestling and served as captain of the first varsity soccer team in program history, helping lay the foundation for the modern era of Scots soccer.

He later earned a master’s degree in special education from the University of Tennessee in 1998.

LaCava is married to Carol Carter ’82, and they have two sons, Alex and Carter.