STANFORD, Calif. - Matt Farmer has been named The Penner Family Assistant Men's Water Polo Coach, announced Thursday by the Dunlevie Family Director of Men's Water Polo Brian Flacks, entering his second season at the helm of the Cardinal this fall.
Farmer arrives at Stanford as a highly decorated water polo player at the club, collegiate and international levels, with experience coaching both at home and abroad. A center at UCLA, Farmer scored 84 goals in his time with the Bruins, helping his team win three NCAA championships in 2014, 2015 and 2017. He was named a second-team All-American as a senior, along with second-team All-NCAA Tournament and first-team All-MPSF honors.
"I am thrilled to be joining the Stanford men's water polo program under the leadership of Brian Flacks," said Farmer. "As a former professional water polo player with six years of international experience, I am eager to bring my knowledge and skills to the coaching staff at Stanford. I look forward to learning from the talented faculty and staff and am excited to support the young men of this program in achieving their full potential both in and out of the pool. This is a new chapter in my life and I am thankful to all of the people who have supported my career."
Since graduating college, Farmer has lived in Australia, Italy, Spain and most recently Greece, competing on the sport's international stage. Farmer features experience with USA Water Polo from the junior level and has represented his country at both the 2019 and 2022 FINA World Championships. As a coach, Farmer has worked with the Los Angeles Water Polo Club, Sea Wolf Water Polo in New Zealand, and Lyons Swim Club & Elmhurst Aquatics in Illinois.
"I am thrilled to welcome Matt to Stanford," added Flacks. "Matt has recently completed an exceptional water polo career, which includes multiple NCAA championships, an extensive tenure with the USA national team, and a final chapter with one of the best professional club teams in the world. Matt's experience and understanding of what it takes to be a champion at the highest level will be invaluable to our Stanford student-athletes, who also aspire to reach the pinnacle of the sport. Bringing Matt on board is a huge win for our program as we continue to strengthen our legacy of excellence, both in and out of the pool."
A native of La Grange, Ill., Farmer graduated from UCLA in 2017, earning a degree in psychobiology. He is currently pursuing a master of exercise science degree in sports performance training from Concordia University Chicago.