July 7, 2009

BERKELEY, CALIF. - Matt Flesher, a standout water polo player at UCLA who has been an assistant coach for both the Bruins' men's and women's water polo programs the past four years, has been named an assistant coach for the Cal women's water polo team, it was announced today (July 7) by Golden Bear head coach Richard Corso.

This past May, Flesher, 29, helped guide the UCLA women to their fifth consecutive NCAA title with a 5-4 victory over No. 1 seed USC. In his three seasons working with the Bruin women, UCLA compiled a 93-8 record, including a perfect 33-0 mark in 2008. During Flesher's time assisting the Bruins, two players were the recipients of the Peter J. Cutino Award (named after the legendary Cal men's water polo coach) as the national player of the year, 17 players were named All-Americans and 21 athletes were selected All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.

"Matt is a student of the game, an excellent recruiter and a great teacher," said Corso, the 1996 USA men's Olympic coach who will be entering his fifth season coaching the Bears next spring. "His knowledge and passion for water polo is a one of his greatest qualities. Matt takes great pride in developing young players for elite teams and his record as a coach is outstanding. He will immediately have a positive impact on our team."

In assisting the UCLA men's water polo program, Flesher helped the Bruins to a 75-29 mark from 2005-08, coaching 19 players who were selected All-American and All-MPSF. In 2006, he was the head coach of the Los Angeles Water Polo Club's 16-Under boy's team that won the U.S. Water Polo National Championship.

As a collegiate player from 1999-2002, Flesher was a member of UCLA's back-to-back national champions in 1999 and 2000. He was a two-time All-American and was twice named All-MPSF, finishing his college career with 81 goals. Flesher earned his degree in political science from UCLA in 2002.

Prior to coaching at UCLA, 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 competed professionally for the Greek team, Ethnikos-Pireaus, in 2003 and 2004. Flesher was the head boy's swimming coach and assistant boy's water polo coach at Corona Del Mar High School in 2004-05 as well.

Flesher replaces Serela Kay, who left Cal to become the Team Leader for the USA Women's National Team.