SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San José State men’s water polo team has hired Lee McBride as an assistant coach, announced by Head Coach Gabor Sarusi.
McBride has established himself as one of the leading developmental coaches in Northern California through his work with USA Water Polo, San Jose Express Water Polo, and The Harker School. He currently serves as a coach within USA Water Polo's National Team pipeline, including appointments as a USA Men's Cadet National Team Coach, National Team Selection Camp coach and Olympic Development Program Zone Head Coach.
Since 2021, McBride has also led The Harker School boys water polo program, located in San Jose, to unprecedented success. Under his leadership, the Eagles captured their first Central Coast Section championship, reached their first CIF Northern California championship game, earned multiple Open Division appearances and achieved the highest sustained level of success in program history. His accomplishments earned him CCS Championship Coach of the Year honors in 2021 and multiple SCVAL Top Coach recognitions.
At the club level, McBride has helped guide San Jose Express Water Polo to historic finishes across multiple age groups while earning four Platinum Junior Olympic Coach distinctions.
McBride's international coaching experience includes representing the United States at the HaBaWaBa World Tournament in Italy, participating in coaching development programs in Croatia and working with USA Water Polo's national team initiatives in Serbia and Colorado Springs.
In 2025, McBride was named a National Finalist for the Positive Coaching Alliance Award presented by TeamSnap, recognizing his leadership, mentorship, and commitment to creating positive experiences for student-athletes.
A graduate of California State University East Bay, McBride earned a bachelor's degree in Sociology and holds numerous coaching certifications through USA Water Polo, including SafeSport, CPR, First Aid, and Lifeguard certifications.
The Spartans are reigning WCC Champions and looking for their third conference championship in the last four years in 2026. The Spartans finished 2025 as the No. 6 team in the nation.
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