DAVIS, Calif. — The Big West Conference announced its 2025 end-of-year awards on Friday, Nov. 28, with UC Davis head coach
Daniel Leyson earning Coach of the Year honors. The recognition marks Leyson's sixth conference Coach of the Year award in his 13-year career.
Leyson, who previously claimed the honor five times in the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA), secures his first Big West Coach of the Year award after guiding the Aggies to a 12–12 regular-season record and three consecutive victories in the Big West Championship. The tournament title punched UC Davis' ticket to its eighth NCAA Tournament appearance and first since 2022.
Under Leyson's leadership, the Aggies also collected five All-Conference accolades in 2025.
Thomas Kiesling earned a spot on the All-Big West First Team, while
Baxter Chelsom,
Andrew Hitchcock, and
Oleg Shatskikh were named to the Second Team. Oriol Viñas rounded out the group with a selection to the All-Freshman Team.
UP NEXT
The Aggies prepare for the first round of the NCAA Tournament in their third matchup of the season with the No. 3-seeded Stanford Cardinal. The game will be on Friday, Dec. 5, at 6:00 p.m. PT and will be streamed live on NCAA.com.
