USA Water Polo has confirmed the continuation of head coaches Adam Krikorian and Dejan Udovicic through the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The California-based organization made the announcement regarding the contract extensions for both coaches on Friday. This decision marks a significant move for Jamie Davis, who recently assumed the role of CEO for USA Water Polo on October 1.
With Los Angeles set to host the Olympics, expectations are high for American water polo teams as they aim to compete for gold medals on home soil.
Dejan Udovicic’s extension was widely anticipated after he led the U.S. men’s team to a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics.
However, there were uncertainties regarding Adam Krikorian’s future following a disappointing outcome for the women’s team in Paris.
“Adam’s accomplishments are unparalleled, and under Dejan’s leadership in Paris last summer, our men won the program’s first Olympic medal since 2008,” Davis stated in an official release.
He expressed optimism about the upcoming journey to LA28, believing that both coaches will effectively guide the teams toward victory.
Since Adam Krikorian took charge in 2009, the U.S. women’s team has significantly excelled, capturing three Olympic gold medals and six world championships.
The team had maintained its reputation as the sport’s dominant force until a disappointing 4-3 performance in Paris culminated in a fourth-place finish.
Notably, the U.S. team had been the only one to secure a medal in every women’s water polo tournament since its Olympic inception in 2000.
After a heartbreaking loss to the Netherlands in the bronze-medal match in August, Krikorian had openly raised the possibility of a coaching change.
Ultimately, both Krikorian and USA Water Polo agreed to continue their partnership.
“I am thrilled to continue to be part of a program that has given so much to me personally and has had such a tremendous positive impact on the sport across our country and beyond,” Krikorian remarked in a release.
The U.S. men’s team, under Udovicic’s guidance since 2013, has also experienced a consistent upward trajectory.
With star center Ben Hallock leading the charge, expectations are high for the Americans as they prepare for the upcoming Olympics in Los Angeles.
“We have an excellent core group of athletes entering their prime, which positions us to achieve what has been my goal since I joined USA Water Polo: reaching the top of the podium and winning a gold medal,” Udovicic stated.
He acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed faith in the team and staff, asserting that their best performances are yet to come.
