MERCED, Calif. — Merced native Hannah Ellett has been named the next head men’s water polo coach at the University of California-Merced, as announced by Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation David Dunham.
Ellett was an assistant coach for the Bobcats men’s and women’s water polo teams this past year and has served as the interim head coach since May 1, 2025.
“We are excited to have Hannah lead our men’s water polo program,” said Dunham. “She brings a diverse coaching background from collegiate and high school to USA Water Polo ODP. We are excited to have her continue to build our program.”
This past season, Ellett was on staff for UC Merced’s historic 20-14 win over National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I foe Long Island University in women’s competition. The victory was UC Merced’s first win over a NCAA Division I opponent all-time across all sports. Ellett also coached Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) Honorable Mention All-America selection Camden Peterson and had six of her student-athletes earn ACWPC All-Academic honors.
“I am incredibly grateful to Dave Dunham, Payton Williams and Nancye Rahn for the opportunity to lead the men’s water polo program here at UC Merced,” said Ellett. “Having spent the last year with both programs, I look forward to continuing to develop a culture of academic and athletic excellence. As a Merced native, I feel exceptionally lucky to have this opportunity to work within my own community and contribute to the development of water polo in the Central Valley.”
Before coming to UC Merced, Ellett spent two seasons as an assistant men’s and women’s water polo coach at Connecticut College. While coaching the Camels, the women’s water polo team made back-to-back appearances in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Division III Championships.
Ellett first got into college coaching in 2022 as an assistant at McKendree University.
Prior to college coaching, Ellett spent two seasons at El Capitan High School as the head varsity aquatics coach. During her time with the Gauchos, the school won back-to-back Central California Conference (CCC) Championships and advanced to the semifinal round of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Sac-Joaquin Section Division II Playoffs.
She first got into coaching in 2013 coaching both girls and boys 14U, 16U, and 18U youth club teams in Merced County, including the 16U boys team for Central Valley United during their inaugural summer season in 2022. Ellett has also coached in both the Central and Northeast Zones for the USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program.
In addition to her coaching experience, Ellett also taught English at El Capitan and Buhach Colony High School.
Ellett earned a bachelor of arts in English from Whittier College in 2017 and received her master’s degree in English literature from Chico State University in 2019.
Release courtesy University of California-Merced Athletics Communications
