Staff Directory

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- (U.S Air Force Photo by Ray Bahner)

Rick McKee

Title:
Assistant Coach
Email:
Phone:
719-333-9288

Rick McKee enters his ninth season as an assistant coach at the Air Force Academy in 2026. He comes with an extensive background in water polo and leadership.

Huckins has been part of the coaching staff that has guided Air Force to four winning seasons in the last five years, a string of winning which hasn't been seen as the Academy since 2002.

McKee began playing water polo in 1975. The passion continued to grow as he played, officiated, coached, and parented his four daughter who also played water polo. At the conclusion of his playing career McKee had earned MVP and All-American honors. He also participated on the 1980 Men’s Junior National Team.

Following his playing career, he served as a head coach at various club teams in Southern California. From 1997 to 2001 he served as head coach for both Men’s and Women’s water polo programs at Tustin High School. From 2001 to 2006 as the Aquatics Director at Laguna Beach High School which included head coaching responsibilities of men’s and women’s water polo and swim teams. As Head Coach at both Tustin and Laguna Beach High Schools, McKee’s water polo teams qualified for the California Interscholastic Federation playoffs each year. While at Laguna Beach his women’s team took 2^nd place at the 2005 State Championship. In 2005 McKee was recognized as one of four top coaches in the country by USA Water Polo. In 2000 he began serving as a water polo official which he continues to do to present day.

Following McKee’s high school coaching career, and prior to coming to the Air Force Academy, McKee had a long, 10-year, tenure with USA Water Polo as the Manager for the Men’s National and Olympic teams. He participated in 3 Olympic Games, 3 Pan American Games, and 6 World Championships. Garnering a Silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Along with his participation in water polo, McKee has long served as a pastor, leader, and counselor in various ministries and Southern Baptist churches in the Southern California area. McKee earned a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies from Anderson Bible college, and more recently has earned a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management and a minor in Pre-Law from Liberty University. He is currently working on his MBA.

McKee married to his high school sweet heart, Brenda, in 1982. They have four grown daughters, 3 grandchildren; one whom they have fully adopted and are now raising.