Ryan Brown Named Air Force Assistant Water Polo Coach
5/6/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
May 6, 2011
USAFA, Colo. - Ryan Brown has been named the assistant coach for the Air Force men's water polo team, as announced by head coach Jeff Heidmous. Brown, who is slated to begin his new position in June, brings more than 10 years of experience coaching at the high school, college and national levels.
"For a young coach, Ryan has amassed an impressive coaching resume," said Heidmous. "He has been successful at every level and as an Olympic coach, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experiences to the program. With Ryan now on staff, in addition to Brian Pendergast staying on as the volunteer coach, we are well positioned to serve the cadets and the Academy for years to come."
Brown spent five years as an assistant for the USA Men's Senior National Water Polo Team, working with the program from 2006 until 2010. In 2008, Brown helped guide the U.S. team to a silver medal at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, its best showing in 20 years. Starting in 2009, Brown also served as the head coach of the USA Junior National Water Polo Team.
Prior to working with the national team, Brown spent four seasons as the head women's water polo coach at the University of the Pacific. In 2005, he led the Tigers to their highest win total in program history. Meanwhile, Brown also served as an assistant coach for the men's team during the 2002 season and in 2003, served as the assistant men's coach for the USA World University Games team.
Brown, a two-year starting goalkeeper for the Tigers during his collegiate career, graduated from Pacific in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in business administration, while receiving his MBA from UOP in 2001. During his time at Pacific, he started a water polo club team, serving as director and head coach from 1999 until 2006.
Brown currently serves as the boy's youth director and head coach for the SoCal Water Polo Club, as well as an assistant coach for the boys' and girls' water polo teams at Foothill High School in Santa Ana, Calif.
