Jesse Smith new ExecDir for CAC

[LonnyJ]

5X Olympian Jesse Smith is the new Executive Director of the Coronado Aquatics WP Club. Will be great for SD County WP to see ‘Nado become a star factory again.

[PoloDad247oc]

I love the optimism, but I'll take the under on Coronado becoming a force anytime in the near future.

[GoBears!]

I'll take the over. Coronado as a city as a legacy and history for water polo that most communities don't have. I think Smith will have the age groups filled and success at the higher levels will return. You won't see kids leaving for Cathedral anymore. Ross Sinclair tapped into the same kind of legacy at Newport and you see the results.

[WaPoSaD]

I hope you're right to take the over. Coronado was a traditional San Diego powerhouse, but has fallen on hard times lately. You still see those yard signs that say "A Coronado Water Polo Player Lives Here" scattered around the island, so there's indeed a legacy there to build on. Let's hope 'Nado regains its former glory -- the more solid competitors down here in SD, the better.

[LonnyJ]

Agree that it would be very aspirational to think Nado is going to turn on a dime. Like many, I've always admired and cheered for them from afar. What wasn't to like? A tiny public school (relative to others) that was able to compete and rough up the bigs and the privates. They had teams in the early 2000s that were arguably the best in the country ... the ones with Jesse Smith come to mind. But the word coming from the island is that things haven't been the same since legendary Coach Burgess and Coach Beegan (sp?) for the girls moved on. Coach Lazlo undoubtedly hustled to hold things together. But GoBears is right, a WP Goliath like Jesse Smith is needed to prevent the talent hemorrhage to other clubs and schools.

[H2Opolo10]

Agree that it would be very aspirational to think Nado is going to turn on a dime. Like many, I've always admired and cheered for them from afar. What wasn't to like? A tiny public school (relative to others) that was able to compete and rough up the bigs and the privates. They had teams in the early 2000s that were arguably the best in the country ... the ones with Jesse Smith come to mind. But the word coming from the island is that things haven't been the same since legendary Coach Burgess and Coach Beegan (sp?) for the girls moved on. Coach Lazlo undoubtedly hustled to hold things together. But GoBears is right, a WP Goliath like Jesse Smith is needed to prevent the talent hemorrhage to other clubs and schools.

Is Lazlo still coaching the high school team?

[LonnyJ]

It’s my understanding Lazlo is still the Nado HS boys varsity coach, and the ‘head coach’ of the Nado club. Not sure about the girls side. Apparently they’ve had 3 to 4 different coaches in as many years.