The Need for a Coaching Change in USA Men’s Water Polo
As a former player, coach, and a devoted fan of the sport, I am deeply disappointed by any consideration to rehire the current men’s national team head coach. This decision warrants serious reflection, especially given the following points:
Dejan in Serbia
The Serbian national team dismissed Dejan from his head coaching role after the 2012 Olympics, despite earning a bronze medal in London. Why? A staggering 9 out of 13 players on the Olympic roster signed a document calling for his removal.
After the coaching change, Serbia’s core group of players went on to achieve unprecedented success, securing two consecutive Olympic gold medals and building a culture that led to a third gold in Paris. Notable players on this roster include Filip Filipovich, Dusan Mandic, Dusko Pijetlovic, Aleksa Saponic, and Slobodan Soro.
The Players Aren’t Happy
Consult the players. Among current national team members and top-level coaches nationwide, support for the head coach is exceedingly low.
While I have not heard directly from current players, numerous reports from former players, coaches, family, and friends suggest that many senior team members are against his rehiring. This is a critical red flag.
Alarmingly, there are indications that key players may reconsider their future with Team USA if the current coaching staff remains in place. These are players who interact most with the coach, and if they are uninspired or demotivated, this presents a serious leadership issue.
Performance since 2012
Success at this level should be judged by performance in quarterfinal matches. However, under Dejan’s leadership since 2012:
Team USA has competed in 7 World Championships and 3 Olympics.
Out of 10 major tournaments, they have reached the quarterfinal just 5 times and won a quarterfinal only once (against Australia in Paris).
They have reached 50% of quarterfinals, and against European teams in these games, the record is 0-4, with losses to Serbia (12-7), Spain (12-8), Greece (16-11), and Hungary (13-12).
While the bronze medal in Paris is commendable and a great success, the quarterfinal victory against Australia—a non-European team—does little to indicate significant improvement in my opinion.
Given the players’ apparent lack of confidence in the coach and his historical performance, it is imperative to bring in new leadership to inspire and guide the team toward success on the global stage.
What indications are you seeing and which players are reconsidering their national team status? Most key players from Paris are back playing professionally directly after the Olympics, even Holland who basically didn’t touch the water the whole tournament. Until the rosters for upcoming tournaments come out, I do not see this being the case.
Also USA beat Montenegro, Croatia, and Hungary in Paris, all European powerhouses. Why are you downplaying that? You must have not watched many of their games because other than their first 2 losses, the team was playing better than any USA team in recent memory.
I would have agreed with you up until the part where they won a bronze medal. Kind of hard to fire a coach after that. Doesn’t appear to be any indications that players are not coming back. There will be a should be some turnover heading into 2028, but who isn’t going to want to play on US soil?
That’s a good point about the allure of a home Olympics. There are potential negatives to so many players staying around for another cycle. This scenario leaves out many of the players currently in high school and the NCAA. The coaching staff needs to be careful to maximize the team’s potential in LA.
Bowen will be 34/35. He might be past his prime by then. I don’t expect Holland back. Everyone else on the team from this year will be in their primes. I would not be surprised if a couple players lose their spots or decide to retire. 4 years is a long time. There are no players in high school that would be ready by 2028. Maybe a few that just finished college and a few more still in school.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I am really hoping to see Bowen play in 2028 as he’s done so much for the team. I agree but I think the allure of an Olympics near their homes will be hard to pass up. I meant players that are in high school now who would be upperclassmen in college at the time of the Olympics. Who do you think are some of the most likely candidates at this moment for open spots? I would like to see Kiefer Black get some consideration, a 6’7" left handed player would be great to have on the team.
Agree, this one is pretty obvious. If there is one thing I know about Dejan, he won’t decide until the last minute, so lets bring this up in 3.5 years because all that matters is how they are playing then. I heard many things about this past Olympics and one was Holland was the likely starter.
I’m not saying he shouldn’t or won’t play in 2028, I was just pointing out that he is the only player who possibly (but not necessarily) will be past his prime or have the potential to retire. As of right now, he’s still a great player.
As Rb notes, it’s awfully early to make predictions about the 2028 Olympic team roster but here’s my guess:
goalie - Adrian Weinberg
goalie - Bernardo Herzer (DU likes tall goalies; Herzer is the current favorite to be the second goalie)
center defender - Jack Larsen (the Pro Recco experience has to help)
center defender - Dylan Woodhead
center - Ben Hallock
center - Peter Castillo or James Rozalis-Hill (his rumored transfer to Stanford suggests he is interested in playing in the 2028 Olympics)
attacker/center defender - Luca Cupido
attacker - Ryder Dodd
attacker - Hannes Daube
attacker - Max Irving
attacker - Chase Dodd
attacker - Alex Bowen (will have a spot on the team if he wants one)
13th spot - Johnny Hooper, Nicolas Saveljic, Marko Vavic, Castillo, or Rozolis-Hill
Will this be the third Olympics in a row without a LH attacker? I hope not but there are no obvious choices. The leading candidates are probably Ben Liechty, Kiefer Black, and Jackson Painter.
Probably, it will not be a Pro Recco of good old days. As veterans’ contracts expire in the next 1-2 years, the club will fill the spots with young, talented players (like Larsen). The departure of the team’s patron Volpi hurts.
Still, a fantastic experience. A great place and a great league.
I agree it’s very early but is interesting to think about.
If it’s true that James is transferring, that’s big news!
Out of curiosity, what makes you confident about Alex Bowen? I hope you are right!
At 6’7" and 220 lbs, I think Kiefer should be considered the favorite. Left handed players with that body type seem to do quite well at the international level. He was interviewed on Water Polo Wednesday and the hosts asked about his interest given the service requirement with the Navy and while he said he is exploring both paths I get the sense that he is leaning towards trying out for the Olympic Team (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxoISosUEkM).
Good list Jeff. I think Saveljic is a big wild card. I have no idea how he has played post college. He’s a big body and if he makes the team it will likely be at the expense of Hooper. I do wonder if Cupido will have the desire to go another cycle as well. Also, I had my doubts about Vavic pre-Olympics (unless he was a primary defender). He was the best defender on the team, so I would put him at the top of the CD list if he wants to keep going. Any word on Max Miller? I’d think he would get strong consideration as the second center. I think there is going to be a very strong pool of players contending for few available spots.
Locks if they want it: Hallock, Irving, Weinberg, Daube, Bowen, Cupido, Ryder Dodd, Chase Dodd
That leaves 5 spots. 1 will go to a goalie and 2 will go to defenders. Those spots probably go to guys that can defend centers, as you need a lot in the Olympics.
Did he turn down scholarship offers from big 4 to go to Navy? Serving the country is admirable (pun) but paying for college with 4y or service rather than a scholarship is unusual.
La Jolla seems to have a lot of solid athletes over the years who went to programs below where they “should” have. Seems curious