It’s Open Season for One of the Most Coveted Jobs In College Water Polo

Originally posted on "On The Deck"

Dear Water Polo Faithful,

As luck would have it, a number of changes occur in a matter of a week and a number of things that need to be covered! Today, will be part one, with the next latest piece of news to come towards the end of the week.

On Friday June 16th, UCLA Athletics announced that Head Coach Brandon Brooks will step down after eight seasons at the head coaching helm. According to Water Polo Planet’s official forum, the Athletics Department has decided to revamp the coaching staff as a whole thus ruling out longtime assistant coach Molly Cahill as the one to take on the mantle.

For Brooks, it has been a memorable run with a top number of athletes competing under Brooks’ tenure. With a number of talented All-Americans and Olympians under his belt. However, the Bruins had not won an NCAA title since 2009, and after a 2014 game in which Cutino Award Winner Annika Dries took control of the game, to the fateful 5 meter shot made by Kiley Neushal, it looked as if 2017 was the year of the Bruin. This had especially look to be the case after a surprise turn against USC and Stanford in the regular season and the MPSF tournament.

However, a last minute goal by Stanford’s Maggie Steffens and final block by Gabby Stone cemented the Cardinal as the champions. The game was close throughout the entirety of the game minutes, but the Bruins’ luck had run out within the final moments. The big question that was on everyone’s mind following the game was where does UCLA go from here? It seems like this news break has been the response.

In the matter of finding a new head coach, a number of names have also been floating around the water polo community, a majority of the names consisting of UCLA alum, but also those with long time coaching jobs for other institutions. That being said, it’s very likely that UCLA will at least be deliberating a committee that consisting of top returning athletes, substantial alums of the program, and (undoubtably) Adam Krikorian. There will be a substantial amount of time before a name is announced, but until then a number of names will continue to circulate as to who will take one of the most coveted jobs in college water polo.

However, in the meantime I would like to wish Brandon Brooks and his family the best in their future. It was an honor to have met Brooks in person, and even be complimented by him. He is a great individual who I will personally continue to admire. Brooks’ contribution to water polo at all levels will be looked at fondly, and they deserve only the best of luck.