Related article:
Barnett brings dynasty-making journey to an end
What they’re saying about Coach Bill Barnett:
“I think of him as the John Wooden of water polo. … He’s been such a class act all the way through. He’s such a good person.
I’ve seen him win. I’ve seen him not win but it’s that same respect for the game and just doing it with class.”
Rob Wigod, CIF-SS Commissioner
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“The number of great players that have come out of Bill’s
program is just legendary. It’s legions compared to a lot of other programs.”
Pete Snyder,coach at Fullerton College
• • •
“Barnett is one of the greatest coaches in the history of
Southern California water polo, probably the greatest.”
Bill Prichard,water polo historian
• • •
“This is a coach who has left a legacy of serving his country and national teams with distinction and had a positive impact on countless young lives. We’ll miss seeing Bill Barnett on the pool deck and hope he doesn’t stray too far from the game.”
Chris Ramsey, CEO USA Water Polo
• • •
“Coach Barnett has had perhaps the most successful and diverse coaching career in the world.”
2015 Irvine Southern California Championships program tribute
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A look at Bill Barnett’s career:
• 2-time U.S. Olympic men’s coach (1988, 1992)
• 1 Olympic silver medal (1988)
• 49 years coaching at Newport Harbor
• 10 CIF-SS Division 1 boys titles
• 11 consecutive CIF finals appearances with boys
• 5 CIF-SS Division 1 girls titles
• 3 Olympians developed in high school
• 1 World Coach of the Year award (1991)
• 2 coaching manuals authored
