Davis, Calif. - Kandace Waldthaler has been selected as the Coach Jamey Wright and Hodgens Family Director of Women's Water Polo at UC Davis, Athletic Director Rocko DeLuca announced Thursday. 

"Kandace (Waldthaler) has been an instrumental part of our women's water polo program here at UC Davis and we are excited to see her build upon Coach (Jamey) Wright's legacy," DeLuca said, while thanking Senior Associate Athletic Director Josh Flushman for leading the search and advisory committee. "As an emerging leader within the national program and with strong support from our alumnae, we're excited to see the Aggies excel under her leadership."

Waldthaler succeeds Wright after serving on his staff for the past 12 seasons, the first seven as an assistant coach and the last five as associate head coach. She has been instrumental in cementing the inclusive and high performance culture the program has enjoyed under Wright. Most recently, Waldthaler joined the national team staff as an assistant coach for the Senior National "B" Team. 

"I am super excited and honored to be the next head coach of the UC Davis Women's Water Polo program," Waldthaler said. "I have enjoyed coaching at UC Davis the past 12 years and I am thrilled to continue to elevate and build on the legacy of Jamey Wright's 25 years with the program. I want to thank Athletic Director Rocko DeLuca and Senior Associate Athletic Director Josh Flushman for the opportunity to lead this program. Go Ags!"

The Aggies have enjoyed eight winning seasons, 19 ACWPC All-America recognitions, and 41 All-Big West honors during Waldthaler's time at UC Davis. The team has seen multiple ACWPA All-Academic honorees in every year of her tenure, including eight or more five times (2012, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2021) with two team (2012, 2018) awards. 

Waldthaler was previously a four-year assistant at Indiana, where she also received her undergraduate degree in exercise science and her master's in applied sports science in 2009. 

Her ties to UC Davis began before her return as an assistant coach in 2010 though. Waldthaler served as a coach at Sierra Water Polo Club in 2004 and then with Davis Water Polo Club in 2005, the latter solidifying her ties to Aggie greats like Wright and Steve Doten. 

As a player, Waldthaler earned JC All-America honors and a conference MVP award at Sierra College before beginning her two-year career at Indiana. She was an All-American in 2005 with the Hoosiers and earned American Water Polo Coaches Association All-Academic Superior accolades both her years in Bloomington. As a senior, Waldthaler led the Hoosiers with 55 goals, 55 drawn exclusions, five four-meter penalty shots and nine hat tricks to capture AWPCA All-America third-team distinction. 

In January 2011, Waldthaler was inducted into the Sierra College Athletic Hall of Fame. 

What They're Saying

Former Coach Jamey Wright and Hodgens Family Director of Women's Water Polo Jamey Wright: "I am excited to see Kandace Waldthaler become the new Head Coach of the UC Davis women's water polo program. Her knowledge of the players, the alums, the department and the institution are second to none. Her experience as an associate head coach in the Big West since the sport's inception into the conference provides the Aggies with a great foundation upon which to build. Go AGS!"

Fresno State Head Coach and current national team staff member Natalie Benson: "Kandace has been committed to the UC Davis program for the past decade, and I am excited to see her move into the position of head coach for the Aggies. Kandace is a professional, thoughtful, and poised coach, who is constantly seeking opportunities to grow and gain valuable experience in order to better lead her student-athletes. Best of luck, coach!"

Child and Meisel Families Director of Men's Water Polo Dan Leyson: "I am excited for Kandace and the opportunity she has been given to lead the women's team at UC Davis. She has been an important member of the Davis water polo community for years and has put the time in gaining valuable experience she will need in her new role as head coach. I look forward to working with her and seeing where she is able to take the program."