University of California Athletics

Jeff Tyrrell, who previously spent 10 seasons on the California men's water polo team's coaching staff, has returned to the program as associate head coach, Ned Spieker Men's Water Polo Head Coach Kirk Everist has announced.

"Coming back to the Golden Bears feels like coming home," said Tyrrell, who has helped Cal win six NCAA championships as a player and coach. "I'm so grateful to Coach Everist for the opportunity to return after these past two years, and I'm bringing a renewed sense of energy and focus. We've got an incredible group of young guys, who are unbelievably motivated. I can't ask for anything more, and now I'm looking forward to building something special and getting back to competing for championships."

Tyrrell was a volunteer assistant for the Golden Bears for two years before becoming a full-time assistant coach in 2016. He was promoted to associate head coach following the 2021 season before stepping down after the 2023 campaign to spend time with his young family.

"I am very excited to welcome Jeff back to the program," Everist said. "He belongs here, and we are very fortunate to have him back."

Tyrrell was a two-time All-American as a men's water polo student-athlete at Cal and helped the Bears win back-to-back national championships in 2006 and 2007. He's responsible for one of the most memorable moments in program history when he scored a goal from 12 meters out as time expired to lift Cal to a 7-6 win over USC in the 2006 title game.

Cal went 161-41 during Tyrrell's previous stint on the coaching staff. He helped the Bears win four NCAA titles, including three in a row from 2021-23. Tyrrell also has playing and coaching experience in the U.S. National Team program.

Tyrrell earned experience as an assistant coach with the USA National Team during the summer of 2019, helping the Americans book their ticket to the 2021 Summer Olympics with a gold medal at the Pan American Games in Brazil. He represented Team USA again in December 2019 as an assistant coach for the Junior National Team at the FINA Men’s Junior World Championship in Kuwait City, Kuwait.

Tyrrell graduated from Cal in 2007 from the department of American studies with a degree in Urban Development and worked as a broker associate at Team Realty in Richmond. His younger brother, Jamie, lettered in swimming at Cal in 2013 and 2014.

A member of the USA National Team from 2006-12, Tyrrell also had a long career playing professionally in Europe. In 2008-09 Tyrrell played for Roma Vis Nova in Rome, from 2009-10 he played for VK Sibenik in Croatia, from 2010-11 for Rari Nantes Camogli in Italy, in 2011 for Fluminense in Rio de Janeiro and finally Sportiva Nervi in Italy in 2012-13.