Kirk Everist

Biography

Producing six NCAA titles, two Mountain Pacific Sports Federation crowns (2002, 2006), 98 All-Americans and numerous academic honorees, Kirk Everist has proven to be the perfect individual to perpetuate the tradition of excellence that defines California water polo. In 22 seasons (460-134, .774) Everist has led the Golden Bears to the pinnacle of the sport on six occasions. In 2023, he led his alma mater to its record 17th national title, defeating UCLA 13-11. Including Cal's back-to-back 13-12 NCAA Championship victories over USC in 2021 and 2022, the Bears secured just the third three-peat in NCAA men's water polo history. Everist also led the Bears to a stirring 11-8 overtime win over USC in 2016, an 8-6 win over USC in the 2007 title game and a thrilling 7-6 last-second national championship victory over the Trojans in 2006. A three-time All-American, 1988 NCAA Player of the Year and two-time United States Olympian, Everist was named the ACWPC National Coach of the Year for the third straight time and fifth overall in 2023. A 1990 Cal graduate, Everist propelled the Bears to national championships in 1987 and 1988 as a player and later finished with 205 career goals. He earned NCAA All-American status from 1986-88 and was named the NCAA National Player of the Year in 1988. Everist went on to play for the United States National Team for nine years (1988-96) and was a member of the USA Olympic Team at the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Games.