UCLA Women’s Water Polo Coach Adam Wright Stepping Away From Day-to-Day Operations for 2026 Season
UCLA Head Women’s Water Polo Coach Adam Wright will step away from the program’s day-to-day operations for the 2026 season, the Bruins’ Athletics Department announced today. Additionally, Men’s and Women’s Associate Head Coach, Jason Falitz, and Men’s Assistant Coach, Matt Kubeck, have been named Interim Co-Head Coaches effective immediately and will lead the Bruins for the upcoming 2026 campaign.
“I have been dealing with a lot of back and nerve pain for the last six-plus months,” Wright said. “My hope was that I would be in a better place by now, but it has not improved, and I will need to step back from my day-to-day activity to address these health issues. This is going to take some time to figure out a plan of attack and how to handle the rehabilitation process.”
Wright, who guided UCLA to an undefeated season in 2024 and the women’s first NCAA Championship since 2009, will still oversee the Bruins’ Women’s Water Polo program, but will step into an advisory role while focusing on his health.
“We appreciate Adam’s leadership and his commitment to both programs, but he needs to prioritize his health, which is of the utmost importance,” The Alice and Nahum Lainer Family Director of Athletics Martin Jarmond said. “We have outstanding coaches in Jason and Matt to lead our talented student-athletes this season. Their continuity, leadership, and deep understanding of UCLA’s culture will help make this a seamless transition. We will support Adam and our coaches as they prepare to compete for championships once again.”
In addition to promoting Falitz and Kubeck, the Bruins have begun a national search for an assistant coach for the Bruins’ Women’s Water Polo Team.
“UCLA Women’s Water Polo is in an outstanding place, and that’s a credit to our student-athletes, our staff, and our administration,” Wright said. “Jason and Matt are exceptional coaches, teachers, and leaders. I have full confidence in them to guide this program forward and continue the standard of excellence that defines UCLA and our Bruin Water Polo Teams.”
Falitz and Kubeck have a combined 13 years of experience with the Bruins, having played integral roles in player development, recruiting, and game strategy throughout one of the most successful eras in program history where UCLA has won three of the last four NCAA titles across both sports (men in 2024 and 2025 and women in 2024).
Falitz just completed his 11th season with the UCLA men in 2025 and was hired as an assistant coach in 2015 before being promoted as an associate head in 2017. Falitz was promoted to the same position with the Bruins’ women’s team in 2021. Kubeck also has a wealth of experience, not only from playing in college, but from coaching at one of the top high schools in the country (Harvard-Westlake School) as well as assistant coaching stints at LMU and Stanford. Additionally, he has also been on the staff with the USA National Teams.
“I’m incredibly grateful for Adam’s leadership and mentorship,” Falitz said. “This program means everything to us, and we’re committed to honoring its tradition while continuing to push it forward.”
Added Kubeck, “UCLA has a strong tradition of excellence and our focus will remain on developing champions in and out of the pool. We are excited to lead this group together.”
The Bruins will open the 2026 season with exhibition games at Cal and Stanford on Jan. 24, 2026, as part of the Cal Cup.
The above press release was written by the UCLA Sports Information Department.
