Marc Hunt has been appointed men's head water polo coach at UC Irvine
while coaching legend Ted Newland has been named coach emeritus,
announced UCI Athletic Director Bob Chichester.
Hunt, a two-time All-American player for the Anteaters, was an
assistant coach for the Anteater program the past four years and also
served as interim women's head coach in 2003-04.
Newland will continue his involvement and assistance with the UCI
program. He leads all collegiate water polo coaches in victories
after building a record of 714-345-5 as the Anteaters' head coach the
past 39 years.
"This makes for a smooth transition since Marc has been associated
with the program as a player and coach. I am confident that he will
do a very good job in continuing the successful tradition that Coach
Newland has built," Chichester said.
Hunt led the Anteaters with 60 points, including seven two-point
goals, as a senior in 1993 in leading UCI to an 18-11 record, a berth
in the NCAA tournament and a final national ranking of fourth. He
earned first team All-America honors that season.
Hunt was named a third team All-American in 1992 when he scored 32
goals as the Anteaters finished fourth in the nation. In the summer
of 1993, he competed in the World University Games, winning a gold
medal, and also in the United States Olympic Festival for the South
team that captured the bronze medal.
He went on to play for the U.S. national team from 1993-96, then
competed for the Sydney (Australia) University Lions club team that
finished third in the National League in 1999.
Hunt served as assistant coach for the Corona del Mar High boys
and girls teams for two seasons, winning boys' CIF titles both years
and finishing as CIF runner-up in one girls season.
Hunt paid tribute to the man who is affectionately called
'Newland' by his players.
"Newland is not only a great coach, but a great teacher of life.
He has an extraordinary ability to give love to his players, or
'sons' as he calls them," Hunt said.
Newland, 77, guided UCI to NCAA titles in 1970, 1982 and 1989. His
'82 squad went 30-0 en route to the national championship. UCI has
finished ranked in the nation's top five 24 times in the past 36
years and Newland's Anteaters have competed in 21 of the 36 NCAA tournaments conducted. In addition to the three NCAA titles, UCI has
finished as NCAA runner-up six times, third place four times, and
fourth on five occasions.
At UCI, he has coached 113 NCAA All-Americans and 11 of his
