Past Olympian Returns to Waves' as Coach

Two-time Olympian and former Pepperdine All-American water polo goalie Merrill Moses has joined the Waves' athletic staff as interim co-head coach, according to Director of Athletics Steve Potts.

Moses has been playing both professionally and with the U.S. National squad for more than a decade, but will now turn his attention to coaching.

"The most exciting part about this is coming back to my alma mater, and to be a part of trying to bring another national championship to Pepperdine," Moses said in a news release. 

As a goalkeeper Moses led Pepperdine to the 1997 NCAA championship and helped the U.S. win a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

William Rodriguez, another alum who joined the Waves' staff this season, will be the other interim co-head coach.

"I get the chance to work with 'Willo' Rodriguez and to try to get this year's team to where it needs to be to compete for a championship, and then I get the chance to work for years to come with Coach Schroeder," Moses added.

Terry Schroeder, who has coached at Pepperdine for 20 seasons, will return as head water polo coach in January 2013, after a stint coaching the USA men's team during the past two Olympics.

"Our water polo program will be in excellent hands for a long time with the coaching staff we have assembled," Potts said.

The Waves (5-2) return to action when it competes in the 2012 SoCal Tournament beginning Saturday, Sept. 29 in Santa Barbara.