June 26, 2009
LOS ANGELES, Calif - With 13 conference titles in the last nine years for the men's and women's water polo programs at LMU, they have become the most successful program in LMU history. With the success, LMU Athletics Director Dr. William Husak announced today, June 26, further investment into the programs with the designation of one separate head coach for each program.
Head Coach John Loughran, who has been at the helm of both programs the last 12 years, will remain as the men's head coach. Kyle Witt, who was a player for Loughran on the first championship team, has been named head coach of the women's program. Witt has been the Associate Head Coach for both programs the last two seasons.
"John has built our water polo programs into championship contenders year in and year out. They have become a pair of the most successful programs in LMU's history," said Husak. "As the water polo programs continue to grow and compete nationally, the demand to stay at that level is very high and has become too much for one coach. We are very excited for the direction John will take the men's program and the direction Kyle will take the women's."
In the past 12 years, Loughran has won 13 conference titles in his time at LMU, taking seven in nine years for the women's team and six in the last eight years for the men (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009 for women; 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 for men). He has posted an overall record of 201-158 (.551) for the men's team and a record of 256-109 (.701) as the only coach in women's water polo program history.
Loughran now turns the reigns over to the women's program to a former player in Witt. He rejoined the Lions as an assistant coach in 2007 and then was promoted to associate head coach in 2008. The Lions have won a combined three conference titles in the two years he has been at LMU.
"The decision to give the men's and women's programs their own head coach is further example to the commitment LMU has made to water polo," said Loughran. "This will help the programs continue to move forward and compete for not only conference championships, but national championships as well. Over the years a lot of work has gone into building the women's program from scratch, and I will miss working with that team. However, both programs will only grow with their own coach. The women's team is in good hands, as Kyle is a great coach and this is a great opportunity for him."
Witt was a four-time All-Western Water Polo Association selection from 1998-2001 at LMU and graduated in 2002.
Prior to returning to his alma mater, Witt was the head coach at Gannon University in Erie, Penn. He spent two seasons at the helm of the men's program at Gannon while serving as coach of the women's program for one season. Witt went 17-27 in two seasons with the men (9-13 in 2005 and 8-14 in 2006) and went 11-11 in one season with the women.
"I loved my time as a player at LMU and I was honored to return as an assistant coach several years ago," said Witt. "And now, to be given the opportunity to be a head water polo coach at my alma mater, is amazing. I am excited to build on the impressive tradition coach (Loughran) has established."
Witt also coached as an assistant at Whittier (Calif.) College, helping the school post a 23-10 record, culminating with the school's first Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Championship in 2004.
Prior to his stay at Whittier, Witt was an assistant men and women's water polo coach at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, Calif., from 2002-04. He helped the boy's team to the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section Championship in one season and a Final Four appearance in the other.
Witt began his coaching career as the Rose Bowl aquatic coach in 1999 before assuming the head water polo coaching position at Westridge School for Girls in Pasadena, Calif., in 2001.
Prior to coaching, Witt made a name for himself at LMU as a player. Witt is sixth all-time in LMU history with 118 games played, tied for sixth all-time in goals with 152, sixth in assists with 81, and sixth in steals with 91. Witt led the Lions to the program's first Western Water Polo Association championship and to the NCAA Final Four during his senior season in 2001.
- GO LIONS -
