Legendary Newport Harbor girls water polo coach Bill Barnett will undergo hip surgery Thursday for an infection, his wife, Marcia, said.
Barnett, his 49th season at the school, learned before Wednesday’s CIF first round game that he needed the surgery.
“It’s been very painful starting Friday,” Marcia Barnett said of her husband’s hip.
The two-time U.S. men’s Olympic coach also battled a hip infection in December.
Barnett, who is retiring after the season, will not coach Saturday when the Sailors play host to San Marcos in the quarterfinals. Brian Melstrom, his assistant and successor, will be at the helm.
The Division 1 semifinals and finals are next week in Irvine.
