I heard from several sources, but have not confirmed, that UCSB women’s coach Serela Kay has been placed on administrative leave. Emma Myall, Kay’s assistant coach last year, will apparently be the interim coach this year. If Kay doesn’t return and UCSB makes a wise hiring decision (don’t hold your breath), UCSB could be a top 4 or 5 program in 2 or 3 years.
John Loughran may be available if he wants to coach again.
Imagine what Natalie Benson could do at UCSB
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Good point. Fun to imagine
True, just not sure that’s an upgrade for Benson — Fresno St has football money and facilities, along with a reasonable cost of living. UCSB is the exact opposite having been a poorly run athletic department for years. Certainly the appeal of a UC and the location would allow Benson to recruit better players, but as the past has shown it’s still an uphill battle.
There are some really young and exciting coaches out there in the women’s game right now, but I would also suppose that this situation still has to play out some too.
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All true. I just do not believe that Fresno State, regardless of who coaches it, could win the National Championship in women’s water polo. Location and academics maybe not that appealing to some. Call me a pessimist.
Could an excellent coach win it at a second tier UC? Maybe, if it is a pre-Olympic year. But then Klatt has not won it at UCI and has not even been super close to winning it…
Assuming roster limits make more players available to other schools, it will be interesting to see if UCSD can enter the top tier. They have the facilities, in-state tuition, weather, and top-tier education.
Calling all coaches - come be a D1 coach!
Pool broken with no plan to fix, practice and games at a HS
Beautiful scenery - but the cheapest house locally is $1mm
Per posting on 12/13/23 - Asst Coach pay is $35k
Maybe they could get an accomplished local club coach - oh wait…
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You mean a 3 bedroom condo for $1mm, there are no houses under 1.5 sorry.
you’re right - This is the cheapest local house currently on Zillow, backs up to a freeway for $1.4mm.
FSU Head Coach salary might be higher than what UCSB gets now…
Yes, this is a more likely scenario, and the one that could probably work taking into account all constrains. Is it a better option in a perfect world? I am not sure.
But surely, she is a good coach too.
Serela Kay made 85K last year, probably on track to make 90K this year. Natalie Benson made 94K last year and was on track to get 95K this year.
Now do cost of living between FSU and SB… I doubt she has $200-300k saved for a down payment.
This is the new reality of coaching, with expensive housing and coaches with families, it really dissuades people from moving. They can’t afford the down payment and even if they miraculously can, they can’t swing a $10k/mo mortgage (a $1.5mm house with 5% down is $11k/mo with taxes and Ins). The best option is often to take a local that already has housing figured out - maybe Chuckie Roth at SBCC - but I have to image he’s well past $100k/yr - may not want to leave as community college jobs are great!
Well Emma Myall played under James Graham for 6 years (wild). So maybe she has the knowledge to be a great coach, she did go to “water polo U”…
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Pretty confident Cathy N won’t be returning!!
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On a positive note, there is no pressure to win and you have plenty of free time to surf. Just ask the men’s coach
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Looking at their 2025 roster. Of the 24 players on it, 10 are freshmen and 10 are seniors. What happened with most of their would be second and third year players?
yeah there was lots of chatter on the old water polo planet site regarding her issues. something must have finally broke the camels back.