Ross Sinclair’s dream coaching position has become a reality.
The former Newport Harbor water polo standout has been hired at his alma mater as the boys water polo coach, he confirmed Monday.
Sinclair, 30, replaces interim coach Marco Palazzo, who took over last season for Robert Lynn.
Sinclair, 30, played at Newport Harbor and once wrote during a high school English assignment that he aspired to someday return to the school as the head water polo coach.
He went onto to play at UC Santa Barbara, professionally and has coached the Corona del Mar girls the past two seasons.
“(It’s) a dream come true,” Sinclair said of the Newport Harbor position. “I’m looking forward to working with the kids over there.”
Sinclair resigned Monday morning as Corona del Mar’s girls coach and met with the players in the afternoon. He also resigned as the girls club director for CdM Aquatics.
“It was very emotional, probably harder on me,” Sinclair said of meeting with the girls. “That’s a great program.”
Sinclair guided the Corona del Mar girls to the CIF Division 1 semifinals this past season.
Sinclair acknowledged that the Newport Harbor boys have endured instability in their coaching ranks.
Lynn’s controversial departure after three seasons surfaced in July just prior to the state high school summer championships and Junior Olympics. Palazzo guided the Sailors this past season but said he wouldn’t apply for the permanent position.
“Hopefully, I can provide some stability and consistency,” Sinclair said.
Sinclair played varsity water polo at Newport Harbor under Jason Lynch and at UC Santa Barbara under Olympian Wolf Wigo.
He first started coaching as a senior in high school with the Newport Water Polo Foundation. Sinclair said Bill Barnett hired him to coach a 10-and-under team.
“In the end, (coaching at Newport Harbor) is something that I’ve always wanted to do,” Sinclair said.
Sinclair’s hiring pairs him at Newport Harbor with first-year boys swim coach Aaron Peirsol, his former classmate at Newport Harbor and teammate on the Newport Beach Junior Guards.
“We’re good buddies,” Sinclair said of Peirsol, the three-time Olympian and world-record holder. “(He) definitely played a factor (in my decision) for sure.”
