Jonathan Barnea

Jonathan Barnea concluded his 16th season with the Stanford men's water polo program in 2021.

Barnea was named the Penner Family Assistant Men's Water Polo Coach in the fall of 2021, one of the department's most recent coaching endowments and a gift made possible by the generosity of Carrie, AM '97, and Gregory Penner, MBA '97. The Penners are passionate philanthropists and loyal supporters of Stanford University, with their charitable contributions also impacting the Hoover Institution, Graduate School of Education, and Graduate School of Business. 

Barnea has been instrumental in establishing Stanford as one of the nation’s premier programs, leading the Cardinal to a 300-95 (.759) overall record and three NCAA title matches, six NCAA appearances overall and four MPSF championships.

Barnea played a key role in the Cardinal’s most recent success, highlighted by Stanford defeating host Pacific 13-8 to capture the 2019 NCAA championship, representing the 11th NCAA title in program history and first since 2002. The Cardinal, which has won 12 national championships overall, finished 21-2 in 2019 while winning its final six games. Stanford also repeated as MPSF champions, bringing home its seventh conference crown following the second of two victories against rival California.

Player development has been an area of emphasis for Barnea, who has helped mentor 74 All-America selections overall, including first-teamers Tyler Abramson (2019-20), AJ Rossman (2020), Bret Bonanni (2013-15), Alex Bowen (2011-14), Ben Hallock (2017-19), Jimmie Sandman (2008-09), Drac Wigo (2009), Bennett Williams (2018) and Sage Wright (2007-08).

The Cardinal has recorded seven 20-win seasons during Barnea’s tenure, including a 26-4 campaign in 2014, which represented Stanford’s winningest season since a 27-1 finish during its 1994 NCAA title run.

Barnea arrived on The Farm in 2006, joining the Cardinal following three years as the head coach of the Palo Alto High School boys' team and the Stanford Water Polo Foundation's boys' 14-and-under team. He also served as an assistant coach on the United States National Development Team.

Barnea graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2002 with a degree in anthropology. He and his wife, Teresa, live in Sunnyvale.