ANNAPOLIS, Md. — United States Naval Academy water polo head coach Luis Nicolao announced the hiring of former Naval Academy standout Michael Mulvey as the newest full-time assistant coach of the Navy water polo program. A member of the USNA Class of 2009, Mulvey earned All-America honors, while also being named the 2008 Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Player of the Year.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to be back on the Yard,” Mulvey said. “I would like to thank Mr. (Chet) Gladchuk and Luis for this opportunity. To be able to work with Luis, Tom, and the Mids to get this program to an elite level on the East Coast again is a dream come true.”
As a senior, Mulvey became the third water polo player in school history to win the NAAA Sword for Men, presented to that man of the graduating class who is considered by the Association’s Athletic Council to have personally excelled in men’s athletics during his years of varsity competition. He joins Nicolao (1992) and current assistant coach Tom Popp (1989) as the only water polo players to win the sword.
“It is very exciting to have three Academy grads on the full-time staff,” Nicolao said. “That is three guys that understand this amazing institution and want nothing more than to see this program succeed. Myself, Tom, and Mike were each All-America selections and all three won the sword. We know how to be successful in the pool, while also managing the rigors of Academy life. I am extremely happy to have all three water polo sword winners on the staff.”
Mulvey comes to the Academy after working as a mathematics teacher and high school water polo coach at Oceanside High School in Oceanside, Calif. He began working as a teacher in 2016, taking the reins of head water polo coach in 2018.
Mulvey led a team of teachers, special educators, and teacher aides to teach complex high school mathematics curriculum. The Carlsbad, Calif. native was recognized for innovative teaching methods, culture building processes, and strong relationship building with groups of at-risk teenagers.
As a head coach at Oceanside, he led a team of 20 diverse athletes to its first playoff appearance in three years by teaching character, building community, and strong fundamentals. In addition, Mulvey fundraised over $3,000 for equipment and tournaments by energizing families and local businesses around our team.
Mulvey got his start in coaching in 2012 as he joined the Carlsbad Water Polo Club as an age group coach. He coached over 200 male and female athletes between the ages of 10 and 18 through six club seasons and National Junior Olympics. In his time with the Carlsbad Water Polo Club, he developed more than 20 players who continued their career at institutions such as University of California, San Jose University and University of California San Diego.
After graduating in 2009 with a bachelor of science in computer science, Mulvey was active duty in the United States Navy for seven years. He gained extensive leadership experience preparing hundreds of junior naval officers and sailors for combat operations in the Persian Gulf.
In addition, he successfully oversaw a $200,000 budget both as the ship’s Damage Control Assistant and as a lead trainer for Navy ships in the Pacific Ocean. Mulvey was acknowledged through multiple inspections for excellent quality training in Damage Control and later in Search and Rescue.
As a four-year starter at Navy, Mulvey led the Midshipmen to a 96-31 record (.756), three-consecutive Eastern Championships and three-straight trips to the NCAA Tournament. Mulvey was named All-America as a junior (honorable mention) and senior (third team). He finished his career with 314 points, 205 goals, and 109 assists. When he finished his career he ranked fifth in school history in points, sixth in career goal, and second – behind Popp – in assists.
Mulvey is married to the former Ronda Cicchillo, and the couple lives in Annapolis.
Release courtesy United States Naval Academy Athletics Communications
