Terry Schroeder

Biography

One of the most iconic figures in the history of American water polo, Dr. Terry Schroeder returned for his second stint in Malibu in 2013 and enters his 33rd season overall on staff with Pepperdine water polo and first as senior advisor in 2025. The 1997 NCAA championship-winning coach finished his 31st season as head coach in 2023 before stepping down in March 2024 to serve as Associate Head Coach, a position he held for one season. In his first 20-year term (1986-2005) as Pepperdine’s head coach, Schroeder became one of the top collegiate water polo coaches in the nation. After coaching an unheralded USA squad to the silver medal at the 2008 Olympics and again leading the Americans at the 2012 Games, he earned the right to be known as one of the best coaches in the world. He was also one of the best players the sport has ever seen, as he served as the U.S. team captain for a decade and helped the Americans to a pair of silver medals. The Waves have enjoyed tremendous success under Schroeder. Pepperdine has earned nine NCAA Championships berths and claimed the program’s first-ever national championship in 1997. The 1997 squad went 25-3 (.893) and posted the best winning percentage in school history. The campaign ended with an 8-7 overtime win over local rival USC in the NCAA title game, held at the International Swimming Hall of Fame Aquatics Complex in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Not only was Schroeder the 1997 National Coach of the Year, he also earned conference coach of the ye