ERIE, Pa. — Shane Unger, who brings with him a wealth of knowledge about the sport, has been named head coach of the Gannon University men's and women's water polo program, Gannon Director of Athletics Lisa Goddard McGuirk announced Thursday.
Unger is the fourth coach in the program's history, replacing Sean Morphy, who is moving into a role outside the athletics department at Gannon after leading the men for four seasons and the women for three.
"We're excited to announce the hiring of Shane as our next head men's and women's water polo coach," Goddard McGuirk said. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, with a focus and commitment to developing the student-athlete as a whole. Under his leadership, I am confident that our programs will continue their positive momentum, both in competition and in the classroom.
"We are also grateful for the years of dedication and service that Sean Morphy has brought to the program. Sean has established a strong foundation, upon which Shane will continue to build."
Unger has spent over a decade teaching water polo, including coaching with the Socal Water Polo Foundation since 2005. He spent time as a shooting specialist and strength and conditioning coach, and coached both boys and girls teams at various age groups.
In addition, Unger has years of experience as a head coach of high school programs in California, most recently as head coach at Fullerton Union High School for the past two-plus years, where he helped the girls to an appearance in the CIF playoffs.
Prior to that, he was the head boys and girls coach at Tustin High School from 2011-16, and spent two years as head coach at El Modena High School.
"I'm incredibly excited for the opportunity that Lisa and the Gannon athletics department have provided for me," Unger said. "When I got a chance to come to campus during the interview process, I got to see the school and the community, and it is a place where water polo can continue to grow.
"I'm looking for big things here. I've gotten the chance to meet with both teams, and those kids are hungry and want to see the sport keep progressing here at Gannon and in Erie."
A native of La Habra, California, Unger received his associate degree from Mt. San Antonio in Walnut, California in 1996. He was a two-sport athlete for the Mounties, playing water polo as well as suiting up as a left-handed pitcher. He then received his bachelor of science degree in kinesiology in 2010 from Cal State Fullerton, and is on schedule to graduate with a master's degree in education from Hope University in December 2018.
