Los Angeles, Calif., -- Loyola Marymount University has announced the hiring of Gary O'Brien as its Assistant Coach for Aquatics.

O'Brien will assist Head Coach John Loughran with all facets of running LMU's three aquatics programs - men's water polo, women's water polo and women's swimming. He has already begun working with Lions' men's water polo squad, which finished 1999 with a school-best 22-9 record and No. 15 national ranking.

"The LMU aquatics program is very fortunate to have Gary join us at a very critical time in the program's history," Loughran said. "Gary brings a wealth of experience as a player and coach at both the national and international levels. We expect his presence to have an immediate impact."

O'Brien has coached water polo and swimming at a number of high schools throughout Southern California, most recently at Milken Community High School in Bel Air where he also worked as a physical education teacher from September 1998 through June 2000. The native of Dublin, Ireland also enjoyed a stint as an assistant with the men's water polo program at UCLA during the 1998 season, and has served as a coach with the Southern Region Olympic Team. In addition, he worked for nearly 10 years as a Los Angeles County lifeguard.

As a player, O'Brien spent one season at Long Beach City College before enjoying an All-American career as a Bruin from 1990-92. He played five seasons of professional water polo for teams in France, Ireland and New Zealand. While in New Zeland he also coached the Aukland-based North Harbor team from September 1995-June 1996.

O'Brien graduated from UCLA in 1993 with a B.A. in history and a minor in business administration. He currently resides in Santa Monica with his wife, Cate. An accomplished writer, O'Brien's first novel entitled A Quest for Happiness will be published in October.