UCLA Sports Information Alumnus Adam
Krikorian recently assumed the head coaching duties for
both the men’s and women’s waterpolo teams.
By Pauline Vu
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
Adam Krikorian has been through many phases as a Bruin.
There were his playing days, from 1992 to 1995, when Krikorian
played in two NCAA tournaments.
There were his assistant coaching years for both the men’s
and women’s teams, from 1996 to 1998, when Krikorian served
under head coach Guy Baker.
There were his co-head coaching years with the women’s
team, from 1999 to 2001, when Krikorian shared the leadership with
Baker.
And now there’s his first year as head coach, which starts
now, for the women’s water polo 2001 season.
“I am excited at the opportunity to continue to coach such
successful programs at a special university,” Krikorian said
when he got the job. “I am honored to follow in the footsteps
of such a legendary coach.”
In January, after coaching at UCLA for 10 years, Baker stepped
down to become head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team
and the National Team Director.
“I am able to leave a little easier knowing that Adam will
be in charge. He is as much a part of UCLA water polo as I
am,” Baker said at the time.
All told, Krikorian has a total of six national championships as
a Bruin coach.
Although he was officially a co-head coach of the women for the
past two years, Krikorian technically served as the only head
coach, as Baker was off coaching the national team in preparation
for women’s water polo’s first-ever Olympics in
Sydney.
During those two years, the women’s squad placed third
nationally and won a national championship.
“Last year’s win was definitely a win of his
own,” said junior set defender Eleanor Murphy.
When Baker left, Krikorian had a choice: he could run either the
men’s or women’s program, or both. He chose both.
The transition from player to assistant coach, and from
assistant coach to head coach, hasn’t been easy. However,
Krikorian has handled it with remarkable ease.
As an assistant coach, Krikorian’s role was to be more of
a friend and a go-between. As a head coach, he’s had to
maintain discipline and look at what’s good for the team as a
whole.
“As an assistant, you have the luxury of focusing on one
thing. As a head coach, you have to notice everything about
what’s going on in and out of the pool,” Murphy
said.
The players say Krikorian has done a good job of remaining
concerned about their lives out of the water, while maintaining
their respect on the pool deck.
“Adam is very approachable,” Murphy said.
“He’s genuinely interested in what’s going on in
our lives.”
Krikorian has developed many coaching strengths from his years
as a player and coach alongside Baker.
“When you start underneath a coach that knowledgeable, it
gives you a good foundation when you’re head coach
yourself,” said sophomore set defender Robin Beauregard.
But the learning period has past. Now it’s
Krikorian’s time to stand alone.