Feb. 2, 2005

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Joe O'Brien, the head men's water polo coach at UC Santa Barbara since 1994, has stepped down to accept a position as a counselor in the College of Letters & Science at the school, he announced today. His new position will include the counseling of student-athletes.

"Coaching at UCSB was a dream come true for me," O'Brien said. "Right now, though, I have the opportunity to move into an area that I also think is important. I will be moving into a position that is critical to the general student body, as well as athletes. The time was right for a change."

O'Brien won 103 games as the Gauchos' head coach. His 2004 team posted a record of 18-14, the best during his 11-year tenure. His teams also produced ten All-Americans and numerous All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation selections.

"I am very grateful for the time, effort, and dedication that Joe has put into the water polo program," said UCSB Athletics Director Gary Cunningham. "He has great passion for water polo and UCSB and I know that this decision was a very difficult one to make. The good news is that he will still be on campus and involved with athletes. He will always be a part of our program."

In addition to coaching the UCSB water polo program, O'Brien played for the Gauchos. In fact, the 1985 UCSB graduate is the school's only two-sport All-American, earning the honor in swimming as well as water polo. He is also a member of the UCSB Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame.