Bruins Nation: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: Got Chart if You Want It: Iron Bowl Comparisons

Coach K Replaced From Within

3292002_medium

Photo Credit: Official Site

I know there were some inquiries into who would replace Coach Krikorian, he of 11 national titles as a head coach, now that he's moving on to coach the national team. Well, now we have our answer. Coach K will be replaced by a pair of coaches who have served as assistant coaches under him recently. Adam Wright will take over the men's program with Coach K still staying on the staff as Associate Head Coach, while Brandon Brooks has been handed the keys to the five-time defending national champion women's program.

Both Wright (1997-2000) and Brooks (1999-2003) starred for the UCLA's men's water polo program, leading the Bruins to back-to-back NCAA championships in 1999 and 2000, before excelling in the international water polo ranks and participating in the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games for the U.S. National Team.

"I would like to thank the UCLA administration for having the trust in me to lead our men's water polo program," Wright said. "It is an honor to continue the great tradition established at UCLA, and we have a lot of work to do. I am excited to have the chance to work with Adam Krikorian, and we look forward to getting started this summer."

"I'm deeply honored and incredibly excited to take the reins of the UCLA women's water polo program," Brooks said. "I've always been proud to be a Bruin and look forward to continuing UCLA's success. We return a terrific group of veterans and are thrilled about our incoming class of freshmen. It is with great humility that I'm able to take this team forward."

The official site provides some information on Wright's coaching experience.

Wright has served as an assistant coach at UCLA since the fall of 2008. Last winter, he played a key role in securing the top men's recruiting class in the nation. He has also served as an assistant coach with the varsity boys and girls water polo programs at Wilson High School (Long Beach, Calif.) from 2001-04. He helped coach the boys program to four consecutive CIF Division I championships and Moore League titles. Wright coached the girls team to two Moore League titles and two CIF Division I quarterfinal playoff appearances.

As a player, Wright was an honorable mention All-American for the Bruins, played professionally in Europe and played with the national team from 2001-2008.

Brooks has some coaching experience of his own too.

Brooks has served as an assistant coach with the UCLA men's and women's teams the past three seasons, in addition to working as an undergraduate assistant coach with the men's program in 2004. He helped lead the women's program to NCAA championships each of the last three seasons and assisted the men's program to the 2004 NCAA title. Brooks played a major role in helping land one of the top women's recruiting classes in the nation for 2010.

Brooks was head coach of the Los Angeles Water Polo Club's boys 16-and-under team from 2006-08. In 2006, he coached the club team to an undefeated season, culminating in the Junior Olympic Championship. He helped develop 15 Division I men's water polo student-athletes in his tenure as head coach. Additionally, Brooks will serve on the coaching staff of the U.S. Women's National Team this summer, alongside Krikorian.

As a player at UCLA, Brooks made the most saves on Bruins history, won a pair of national titles and was an All-American before moving on to play with the US National Team.

Best of luck to both of them as they have some mighty big shoes to fill. Coach K was arguably UCLA's top coach in an athletic department filled with outstanding coaches so it won't be easy, but they're Bruins who spent time learning fom Coach K so I like my chances with them at the helm.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

5 recs  |  Comment 8 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Huge shoes to fill

And have been around the program since they’re playing days. Here’s hoping they do well.

by gilbert on Jun 3, 2009 10:19 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Congratulations to both coaches.

Best wishes. I encourage you to remember that good luck is what happens when hard work and preparation meet opportunity. Go out there and get lucky!

A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment. John Wooden

by MexiBruin on Jun 4, 2009 8:59 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

We know one thing for sure

Brooks will certainly be Defense First (He was a goalie).

Congrats to Adam and Brandon

by Tydides on Jun 4, 2009 9:05 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Brooks

IIRC he also tried out as a walkon in Lavin’s hoops team.

by Nestor on Jun 4, 2009 9:14 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

All I have to say to that is

PHEW!

But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.

by tasser10 on Jun 4, 2009 9:35 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not only tried out

I think he was on the team and scored in the NCAA Tournament.

by Tydides on Jun 4, 2009 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's right

Was he a pg? Can’t remember now.

by Nestor on Jun 4, 2009 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hard to say

I know he led my high school to a state basketball championship his senior year and he probably played as a forward due to his height. Of course, being tall in a Hawaii high school and being tall in Div I college basketball is completely different, so there’s a possibility he was a PG here.

by Tydides on Jun 4, 2009 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome to Bruins Nation, an unofficial daily online scrap book covering the greatest collegiate athletic program in the nation. GO BRUINS.
Start posting about the Bruins »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

4310_802638778316_2519469_46410875_2962006_n_small
The Evolution of a Bruin Fan
Images_small
UPDATE: Rivalry Game Ticket Thread
Morrell_small
Wildcat and the UCLA Running Game
Ucla_small
Everyone needs to calm down about Ben Ball
Trojanssuck_small
An Angel in the Defensive Backfield

Recent FanPosts

Small
Anyone on Twitter?
Small
Huge Weekend - Anyone all in?
Avatar_small
Rematch with UCSB & Nick Rimando wins MLS Cup MVP
Bruinsnation_small
Bruin Bear "Security Force" Offers Weak/Pathetic Response To Their Screwup
Bruinsnation_small
Video link to KTLA's story on the Beat USC Bonfire!
Bruinsnation_small
[UPDATE x3] Hey UCLA Students: Nice Job Protecting The Bruin (& Getting PWNed By Trojans)
Small
Beat $C* Week: Recap From The Bonfire Rally!
Small
Uniforms for Saturday?
Moreyouknow_small
Is this Brian Price's last game at UCLA?
Small
66-19: Only 2 Numbers Our Players Should Be Thinking About This Saturday

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

SPONSORS


Managers

094_small Ajax

Bruinsnation_small Nestor

Menelaus2_small Menelaus

Arron_afflalo1_small Tydides

Brad_pitt_as_achilles_small Achilles

Small Meriones

Telemachus_small Telemachus

Small Odysseus

Blue_bellerophon_small Bellerophon

Authors

Images_small Ryan Rosenblatt

Official Partner of CBS Sports