Former Coronado High School Water Polo Coach David Throop will return for the 2025-26 school year as the new head coach of both the boys’ and girls’ varsity teams.
Throop previously led CHS water polo programs and served in various coaching and administrative roles from 1991 to 2015 and again from 2019 to 2021.
“We are happy to welcome back Coach Throop,” said Coronado High School Athletic Director Aaron Brooks. “He has the resume, and has the background, as both a coach and as a player. He is someone who is a community member. We are excited to bring him in and see what we can do with the team. His commitment to honoring the program’s legacy and continuing its growth is a great fit for our student-athletes.”
Throop’s coaching career began in 1987. He has been instrumental in coaching other high school programs throughout his career, such as Mount Miguel and Granite Hills. Along with his experience at the prep level, Troop’s coaching experience spans both the collegiate and national levels. In 2012, he served as the assistant head coach at the University of Hawaii.
Throop has also been heavily involved with USA Water Polo. From 2001 to 2007, he served as Development Coach. His work with ODP has been recognized on three different occasions. He was awarded the Regional Development Coach of the Year honors in 2003, 2004, and 2010.
“I’m excited to rejoin the Coronado Aquatics community and to be part of the rich history and tradition of water polo here,” said Throop in a press release from the Coronado Unified School District. “Working with talented and dedicated student-athletes is an honor, and I look forward to helping them grow not only as competitors but as individuals prepared to navigate life’s challenges.”
According to the press release, Coach Throop emphasizes the importance of a collaborative approach to long-term athlete development. He will work closely with junior varsity coach Matt Finley and support youth water polo programs to strengthen the water polo pipeline that begins with the youngest swimmers and builds through high school.
“I am very excited about who he is as an individual. He is a smart person, he can dissect situations very well, he is a great communicator,” Brooks said. “He understands the sport and knows what it means to be a full student athlete at the high school level. We’re just really excited to have Dave be a part of our Islander staff.”
Throop’s coaching philosophy focuses on holistic athlete development, emphasizing individual growth, team culture, and character. He also values the role of community support and booster engagement. “Collaboration with parents, administrators, and groups like ISF helps create a support system that allows our teams to thrive,” he said.
Throop will take over the head coaching duties from Jesse Smith, the former CHS water polo coach and five-time Olympian, who is departing the program after two years. In that time frame, he won two CIF titles as head coach of the girls’ and boys’ water polo programs.
“Jesse was with us for two years and four seasons total. He won two CIF titles during that time. I fully support him. We hope to see him be successful, see him around the pool, and develop future Islanders that can be on the high school team, with CAC (Coronado Aquatics Club),” said Brooks.
VOL. 115, NO. 24 – June 11, 2025
After 23 years at Cumulus Media Sports “1260 The Score” WSKO Syracuse NY, Jim ‘The Manchild’ Lerch and co-host Paul ‘Boy Green’ Esden Jr. will depart the station on Friday, June 27 and then relaunch the show on YouTube.
