LOS ANGELES – Former Loyola Marymount University men's water polo student-athlete standout and associate head coach David Carrasco has been selected to lead his alma mater as the program's next head coach, Athletic Director Craig Pintens announced on Monday.
"In a short time, David has emerged as one of the most respected coaches in the country," said AD Pintens. "As one of our all-time greats, his transition to coaching on the pool deck has been smooth and effective. David has a tireless work ethic and a mindset that will drive us toward competing for championships."
Carrasco played three seasons at LMU between 2019 and 2022, including an All-American campaign in 2021.
Over that time in the pool, Carrasco's numbers rank among the program's best in several categories. Carrasco totaled 182 goals, 150 assists, 332 points, 130 steals, and won 50 sprints. Each category ranks in the top 10 with his 150 assists breaking the program record. Carrasco's 79 assists in his All-American season still ranks as the program's all-time best mark.
Following his decorated career as a player, Carrasco was hired by John Loughran as an assistant coach ahead of the 2023 season and then promoted to associate head coach prior to the start of the 2024 season.
With Carrasco on the sidelines with Loughran, LMU won a share of the inaugural West Coast Conference Regular Season Title and entered the first WCC Tournament as Co-Regular Season Championships.
"I am so excited to step up and take the head coach position," said Carrasco. "I'm really thankful for the opportunity from the Athletic Department. I appreciate their belief in me. My main goal is to elevate the program to one of the top teams in the country and sustain that success.
I want to thank Coach Loughran for bringing me to LMU as a player and for later hiring me as an assistant coach, and after one year, promoting me to associate head coach. He believed in me and allowed me to mature and grow as a young person in the United States when I arrived here alone."
"LMU truly is a special place. There is so much opportunity here. We are in the perfect location, next to LAX, close to downtown, right at the beach, and one thing recruits will see once they come on their visits is how beautiful this campus is. Water polo in Southern California has such rich history between the high schools and youth programs. There is so much talent in California. Between our playing style, our location, and our support from the Athletic Department, we can bring LMU back to the top."
Carrasco's coaching experience also includes time spent with the United States National Team and Spanish National Team.
Carrasco is now the fourth current alum currently serving as head coach at LMU, joining Ikaika Aki from women's water polo, Chloe Curtis with women's cross country, and Jason D'Amore with men's golf.
