University of Southern California Men's Water Polo

Former USC All-American Marko Pintaric is in his 25th season on the USC staff and seventh year as head coach of the USC men’s team. In seven seasons leading the USC men, Pintaric holds a 100-38 overall record. Under his direction, USC has extended its run of NCAA appearances to 20 in a row, with the Trojans reaching the NCAA final in four of the past five seasons. Pintaric spent the 2017-19 seasons as co-head coach for the USC men after three seasons as an associate head coach. From 2015-19, Pintaric also served as the scouting director for the USC women. Prior to 2015, Pintaric was as assistant coach to both the USC men and women. Pintaric also served as head coach of the USC women for four seasons, from 2020-2023, winning the 2021 NCAA Championship and being named MPSF Women’s Coach of the Year three times — in 2021, 2022 and 2023 — and the 2021 National Women’s Coach of the Year. In four seasons leading the USC women, he compiled an 82-9 overall and 24-1 MPSF record. In his first year at the helm of the USC men’s and women’s programs, Pintaric guided the men to a 16th straight NCAA appearance with a trip to the NCAA Semifinals in 2019. In 2020 with the women, Pintaric had the Women of Troy ranked No. 1 in the nation when competition was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. In all, Pintaric has been on the USC staff for nine men’s NCAA titles and six USC women’s national championships since taking on a coaching role in 2001. A member of USC’s 1998 national championship

Alexandru Bucur enters his first season as an assistant coach for USC men's water polo, having joined head coach Marko Pintaric's staff in June 2025. A nativ...

William Grant enters his first season as an assistant coach and Director of Recruiting for the USC men’s water polo program, joining head coach Marko Pintaric's staff in January of 2026. Grant comes to USC with extensive experience at the collegiate, club, and national team levels. He previously spent four seasons as the assistant coach at Santa Clara University, contributing to the program's improved success and continued momentum in roster development during his tenure. In addition to his collegiate experience, Grant served as the High School Director for the Stanford Water Polo Club from 2021 to 2025. In this role, he oversaw training and competition for multiple age groups while maintaining a consistent developmental and cultural standard. Grant has also been involved with USA Water Polo throughout his career, most recently serving as a Pacific Zone Head Coach within the Olympic Development Program working with top athletes throughout the regional and national evaluation process. A graduate of Santa Clara University, Grant earned his bachelor’s degree in biology in 2016 and later completed a master’s degree in marine biology at San Francisco State University in 2021. He brings a strong commitment to player development and high-performance culture as he joins the Trojan men's water polo program.