Matt Flesher to Head Women's Water Polo Program at Golden West College

Huntington Beach, Calif. - Matt Flesher, an Orange County native from Brea Olinda High School, joins Golden West College after seven seasons as Associate Head Coach of Women's Water Polo at the University of California Berkeley. In his first year, Flesher helped the Bears earn their first ever NCAA Championship invitation.  Earning three more NCAA Championship invitations, Flesher helped the Bears produce their best season record, going 26-5, winning the MPSF Conference Championship, and finishing 2^nd in the NCAA tournament.

During his tenure at Cal, Flesher coached 46 Academic All-Americans and 22 Athletic All-Americans.  A few standout players include: Cal's sole finalist for the Peter J. Cutino National Player of the Year Award, Emily Csikos, International Olympians Dora Antal and Anna Illes from Hungary, 2012 Olympic Silver Medalist Roser Tarrago from Spain, and former Orange County natives and Junior National Team World Championship Gold Medalists Emily Loughlin, Stephanie Mutafyan and Tiera Schroeder.  Flesher received his Masters in Education from Cal in 2011. 

Prior to Cal, Flesher served as Assistant Coach for UCLA's men's and women's water polo programs from 2005-2009. During his tenure, the Bruins women's team won three consecutive NCAA Championships from 2007-2009. Flesher coached two Peter J. Cutino National Player of the Year Award winners, Kelly Rulon and Courtney Mathewson. Both athletes went on to win gold medals for the United States at the 2012 Olympics.  Flesher also coached 2012 Men's Olympic goalkeeper Chay Lapin.  

Flesher began his coaching career at Corona Del Mar High School in 2004, serving as the Head Coach for boy's swimming and Assistant Coach for boy's water polo while also working as a substitute teacher. Flesher was Head Coach for the 16- and 18-under men's teams for the Los Angeles Water Polo Club from 2006-08. Flesher's 16-under team won the National Club Championships as well as the Junior Olympic Championships.

Prior to coaching, Flesher was a standout water polo player at UCLA from 1999-2002. Flesher was a three-time All-American selection and a two-time NCAA Champion.  Flesher earned his degree in political science from UCLA in 2002.

As a post-collegiate player, Flesher spent three seasons as a member of the U.S. National Team, competing at the 2003 World University Games and helping Team USA qualify for the 2005 World Championships. He also played professionally for the Greek team, Ethnikos-Pireaus, in 2003 and 2004.

Flesher and his wife, Anissa Bromley, were married on August 19, 2010. Their daughter, Phoebe, was born in February 2012.  The Flesher family is relocating to Huntington Beach.