Ed Carrera

Costa Mesa, Calif. – In the spring of 2009 Vanguard University made the decision to add an aquatics program to its sports offerings with the addition of men and women’s swimming for the fall 2009. The completion of becoming a full aquatics program by the fall 2010 began today with the announcement of the addition of men’s and women’s water polo by Vanguard Athletic Director Bob Wilson. Wilson also announced that Ed Carrera has been hired to direct both programs as the Men and Women’s Water Polo Head Coach.

"We are very excited to begin a water polo program in the fall," commented Wilson. "Ed brings to us great enthusiasm, expertise and a desire to build a quality water polo program at Vanguard."

Carrera recently resigned his position as the assistant men and women’s water polo coach at Concordia University to accept the position with the Lions. He is also currently the boys and girls water polo coach for Northwood High School.

"I am extremely excited about the future of Vanguard water polo as well as the future of the NAIA," states Carrera. "This is a great fit for me and I look forward to a positive inaugural year."

Ed Carrera’s aquatic experience began at the early age swimming with Irvine Novaquatics. Carrera was coached by greats including Lydia Abishier, Mindy Dougherty, Ed French, Ken Lamont, Dave Saelo and Flip Darr.  Carrera was a four-year letterman, at Irvine High School, and qualified for CIF by the time he was a sophomore. Carrera also earned his junior national time standards for the 200yd breaststroke.

He began playing water polo as a sophomore and was a two-year varsity letter winner at Irvine High School. After graduation, Carrera attended Saddleback College in Mission Viejo where he was coached by the late legendary head coach Flip Darr and current Cal State Los Angeles Coach Mike Santos.  Carrera earned top 10 honors for scoring, assists, and steals for the state of California.  He also ranks 3rd among all dual season scorers in Saddleback water polo history and was named First Team All Conference in 1997. 

Following his time at Saddleback, Carrera attended Chapman University where he played for Coach Dennis Ploessel and was made team captain during summer training of 1997.  Carrera opted to go to Argentina and play for Club Gremio (Amateur) as well as training with the Argentinean JR National Team. He played two seasons in Argentina before coming back to the US to accept a coaching position.

Carrera was the assistant coach for Water Polo and Swimming at Woodbridge High School under Alex Abishier and Tom Norton, for three years, and later became the head coach for two years. In 2007 Carrera was named the Northwood High School Head Water Polo coach and helped lead the Timberwolves to a CIF Finals runner-up placing. Carrera has led the Northwood Timberwolves to a CIF playoff berth for boys and girls since his arrival.

In 2008, Carrera also played on the North Irvine Premier League Division II, and placed 5th in the Masters Nationals USA Water Polo under 40.

Taking on his first head coaching position at the collegiate level, Carrera will begin recruiting immediately for next year. The collegiate men’s water polo season will be in the fall, while the women’s team will compete in the spring semester. Carrera can be contacted by e-mail at ed.carrera@vanguard.edu or by phone at (714)556-3610, extension 2365.