LA JOLLA, Calif. ? After 10 seasons as the head coach of the UC San Diego women's water polo program, Larry Sanders has announced his resignation, Director of Athletics Earl W. Edwards announced on Tuesday. Sanders, who first joined the UCSD staff in 1993, will step aside to spend more time with his family.
“After 17 years as a coach at UCSD, I have decided to resign,” Sanders said in a statement. “It was not an easy decision, but one based on the needs of my family. I will miss UCSD, the athletes, my colleagues, and friends on the coaching staff. I want to thank UCSD for the great opportunity I have had to coach. It was a great run.”
Sanders served as an assistant coach with the men's water polo team for seven years before taking over the women's program in 2000. In 10 seasons, he led the Tritons to a 180-158 overall record and a Western Water Polo Association Championship in his first year at the helm. He was named the WWPA Coach of the Year that season and went on to guide UCSD to three runner-up finishes. Sanders was also named the NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year in 2005, 2006, and 2007.
The Tritons finished with an overall record of 12-20 in 2009, placing fifth at the WWPA Championships in Santa Clara. Senior Sydney Gstettenbauer was named the Division II ACWPC Player of the Year after tying the UCSD all-time mark with 84 goals on the season. She was one of four All-Americans for the Tritons in 2009, joining Stephanie Heinrich, Markayla Quane, and Jessica Tran.
