Guy Baker
By Pauline Vu
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Guy Baker, the UCLA men’s water polo head coach for 10
years and women’s head coach for four years, has been named
the head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Senior Team and
National Teams Director. The announcement came Wednesday.
Baker will no longer coach at UCLA.
“It’s difficult to leave UCLA. It has been the most
rewarding experience, both personally and professionally,”
Baker said in a statement.
He started coaching the men’s team in 1991, and between
then and now, led the squad to four NCAA titles. He also started
coaching the women’s team in 1995 when it gained varsity
status, and led the Bruin women to three national championships in
a row from 1996 to 1998.
In 1998, Baker was named head coach of the U.S. Women’s
National Team. Last summer, he led the women to the silver medal at
the Sydney Olympics, the first to feature women’s water polo,
and was named U.S. Water Polo Coach of the Year.
“It is my desire that by taking this position, water polo
can grow from a regional sport to a national sport,” Baker
said. “With the impact of the Olympic Games and our first
NCAA Championship, the potential growth of our sport could be
unlimited. It is a truly exciting time for women’s water
polo.”
Baker has an overall record of 282-104, 174-90 for the men and
108-14 for the women at UCLA.
Adam Krikorian, a co-head coach of both teams since 1999, will
be the sole head coach of the women’s team this upcoming
season.
“I am able to leave a little easier knowing that Adam will
be in charge,” Baker said. “He is as much a part of
UCLA water polo as I am.”