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The Register's girls water polo coach of the year is Brian Weathersby of Santa Margarita.
The Register’s girls water polo coach of the year is Brian Weathersby of Santa Margarita.
Dan Albano. Sports HS Reporter.

// MORE INFORMATION: Staff Mug Shot taken August 26, 2010 : by KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER.

The pivotal coaching moment for Brian Weathersby didn’t come drawing up a trick play or switching defenses at halftime. It arrived when he simply listened and responded.

Weathersby’s Santa Margarita girls water polo team had just been upset by Los Alamitos in the second round of the Irvine Southern California Championships in early February when he met with Haley Wan and Kacey Avalos.

The senior leaders suggested that Weathersby focus more during games on the Eagles’ positive plays than their mistakes. The players believed the team would respond positively.

“I think that was a really big coaching moment for me,” Weathersby said, “because they taught me how to adjust to them. I had to stop and think about it after our conversation and I was, ‘That’s pretty cool.’”

Weathersby adjusted his focus during the final month of the season and the success followed. The Eagles sprinted to the finish and earned their second consecutive CIF-SS Division 2 title, defeating Trinity League rival Mater Dei, 5-4, in the final.

For his efforts, Weathersby is the Register’s Coach of the Year.

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RELATED:

2013-14 All-County girls water polo team

Laguna Beach’s Fischer is the girls water polo player of the year

2013-14 All County girls water polo: Second, third teams

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Weathersby, 35, served as an assistant coach for Kevin Ricks on the Eagles’ 2013 championship team, but he became a quick study in his first season as the head coach.

“He was really receptive to our opinions and thoughts and he would always try to adapt to what the girls needed,” Wan said in a text message. “He made us work really hard at practice but tried to adjust his coaching to us as best as possible.”

Weathersby brought several other key elements to Santa Margarita’s season, which included a second consecutive Trinity League crown and a 3-0 record against Mater Dei.

The former El Toro and Mission Viejo assistant focused intensely on defense. The most goals Santa Margarita (24-6) allowed in a match was nine, and that came in its second game.

Weathersby also displayed a confidence that he traces to his playing days at El Toro under Coach Don Stoll.

“You’ve got to go (into games) thinking you’re the best team … and you always have a chance,” he said. “Walk (on) the pool deck with your head high, with your team uniform on, and make sure everyone knows who you are.”

Brian Weathersby also made sure he listened at the right time this season.

Contact the writer: dalbano@ocregister.com