Staff Directory
James Lathrop
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
With deep roots in the San Francisco East Bay and extensive coaching experience, James Lathrop has been hired as Saint Mary's head men's water polo coach, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Matoso announced on Monday, November 17th.
Lathrop brings more than 20 years of coaching experience, which includes time with USA Water Polo, Stanford, and locally at the high school and club levels.
In 2022, Lathrop was an assistant coach for the Cardinal, who won the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Invitational and advanced to the MPSF championship game.
"We are elated to be able to hire James Lathrop as our head coach and build this program from the beginning," Matoso said. "James has tremendous experience locally, nationally and internationally. He is a perfect fit for the department and campus and we look forward to competing at the highest level."
"I am grateful for the opportunity to coach at Saint Mary's! Having been a part of the local aquatic community for most of my life, building a program at Saint Mary's is particularly meaningful to me and I can't wait to get started," Lathrop said. "I am excited to build a men's water polo program that will compete against the best programs in the nation and build connections to our local water polo community."
Prior to his time at Stanford, Lathrop served as the head coach for his alma mater, Miramonte High School, while also serving as the director for boys water polo at Lamorinda Water Polo Club and spending more than 11 years coaching the junior national team and boys Olympic development program with USA Water Polo.
Coaching highlights for Lathrop while working with the Miramonte Matadors include 10 CIF North Coast Section championships and four runner-up finishes. He was named Coach of the Year by the California Coaches Association in 2008, as his team was ranked No. 1 nationally that season. He led the USA Junior National Team in the 2013 FINA World Championships and successfully oversaw and managed the development of the nation's best talent in his time both with USA Water Polo and Lamorinda Water Polo Club.
Originally from the East Bay, Lathrop graduated from University of California, Berkeley in 2000, earning a degree in American History. He spent time as a captain for the Golden Bears' water polo program before earning his teaching credential at Saint Mary's.
Lathrop brings more than 20 years of coaching experience, which includes time with USA Water Polo, Stanford, and locally at the high school and club levels.
In 2022, Lathrop was an assistant coach for the Cardinal, who won the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Invitational and advanced to the MPSF championship game.
"We are elated to be able to hire James Lathrop as our head coach and build this program from the beginning," Matoso said. "James has tremendous experience locally, nationally and internationally. He is a perfect fit for the department and campus and we look forward to competing at the highest level."
"I am grateful for the opportunity to coach at Saint Mary's! Having been a part of the local aquatic community for most of my life, building a program at Saint Mary's is particularly meaningful to me and I can't wait to get started," Lathrop said. "I am excited to build a men's water polo program that will compete against the best programs in the nation and build connections to our local water polo community."
Prior to his time at Stanford, Lathrop served as the head coach for his alma mater, Miramonte High School, while also serving as the director for boys water polo at Lamorinda Water Polo Club and spending more than 11 years coaching the junior national team and boys Olympic development program with USA Water Polo.
Coaching highlights for Lathrop while working with the Miramonte Matadors include 10 CIF North Coast Section championships and four runner-up finishes. He was named Coach of the Year by the California Coaches Association in 2008, as his team was ranked No. 1 nationally that season. He led the USA Junior National Team in the 2013 FINA World Championships and successfully oversaw and managed the development of the nation's best talent in his time both with USA Water Polo and Lamorinda Water Polo Club.
Originally from the East Bay, Lathrop graduated from University of California, Berkeley in 2000, earning a degree in American History. He spent time as a captain for the Golden Bears' water polo program before earning his teaching credential at Saint Mary's.
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