Few coaches in San Diego County are likely to have as extensive a coaching resume as newly hired Coronado High School boys’ and girls’ water polo Head Coach David Throop.
For the past 30+ years, Throop has coached at almost every level, from high school to NCAA and international development. That included an extended previous run with CHS water polo from 1991 to 2015 and again from 2019 to 2021. After a brief four-year separation, the two have been reunited once again.
“It’s a privilege to even be considered for something like this,” said Throop. “I can’t wait to get to work and start getting ready.”
With decades of coaching experience, Throop has seen just about everything one needs to see and understand in order to be a successful head coach. For him, there are a few critical pillars that define his coaching style: communication and adaptability.
“Being able to communicate with your players is key. To balance individual growth with team growth and ride that delicate balance is huge,” said Throop. “I think being adaptive is my strongest trait. There are some things we need to do as a group, there are different ways to do it, and be flexible in that regard. Something that I strive to do is understand each athlete, their motivations, their objectives, but also educate them towards the larger team concepts.”
Along with the excitement of coaching Islander athletes, Throop is also excited by the opportunity to be a part of the Coronado aquatic and water polo community once again. Throop views the community not only as die-hard supporters but also as a place where the program can draw resources and knowledge from.
“I think tapping into the community and their resources and support will be vital for the maturation of the individual and the maturation of the team,” Throop said. “Our mantra is going to be patience. One of the analogies I’ve used in the past is when we built the BBMAC. Before the pool was built, we had to dig up holes and build the foundation one moment at a time to create what the facility is now. Building a team for success is the same. We will have to strip some things down and use our existing resources, like our parents and alumni, to help us build. We’ve had a lot of outreach so far from the community and look forward to continuing with that.”
Not many major decisions have been made regarding filling out his coaching staff as of this moment. However, one large decision Throop has made is to retain Matt Finley as the assistant coach. Finley and Throop share a long history. When Finley was in high school, Throop served as one of his coaches. Since then, the two have shared the pool deck as coaches.
“Me and Matt have good continuity. He has had the opportunity to be around this current group of players. He is a big asset to have,” commented Throop. “We are also bringing in, potentially, one or two former alumni to help build that sense of community and, again, tap into those resources.”
Over the past five or more seasons, the Coronado High School boys’ and girls’ water polo teams have seen success, with both programs winning CIF DI titles as recently as 2023. However, the goal for many in and around water polo is to once again start making regular appearances and runs in the CIF Open Division bracket.
For Throop, the goal is to get there once again. But he knows it’s a process that will require that aforementioned patience.
“In that regard, it’s about building the individual foundations of the technique that you can apply on a tactical level and also putting yourself to the grindstone of playing and competing against those top teams,” said Throop.
“Then, on the micro view, it’s what we can do today to get better than we were yesterday. It’s not an easy task; it will take some time. But I am convinced, by creating the right kind of community and expectations, that both teams will have the opportunity to grow into that role in the future. For this upcoming season, we’ll build off what was successful and refine the things that need improvement. While also adding some elements that raise the bar weekly and month by month.”
VOL. 115, NO. 25 – June 18, 2025