University Southern California Trojans
John Williams Retires as Water Polo Coach
June 21, 1999 | Men's Water Polo
June 23, 1999
LOS ANGELES - USC men's water polo coach John Williams, who led the Trojans to their first-ever NCAA championship in 1998, is stepping down after 26 years in charge of the team, USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett announced today.
Williams will remain, however, as the program's coach emeritus and will be involved in annual fundraising and long- range development.
Jovan Vavic, who has been Williams' co-head coach since 1995 and an assistant coach from 1992-94, will assume the head coaching position. Vavic is also the head coach of the USC women's water polo team, which won the 1999 national championship.
"Very few coaches have the opportunity to have their last game be an NCAA championship, and I'm going to take the opportunity to join that select crowd," said Williams, who had a career record of 449-253-7 (.638). "I am retiring with great memories of all the years and with great enthusiasm for the future of USC water polo. I still will be very involved with helping the program to stay at the top, but will also have more time for my family and business interests."
Said Vavic, who has helped the USC men to an 89-18 (.832) record the last four seasons: "I wouldn't be where I am today without John, because he gave me the opportunity to coach here. I'll forever be grateful to him. Working with John has been a valuable experience because I have learned a great deal from him."
Said Garrett: "John Williams is a legend in USC athletics and the Trojan family will miss him. Thankfully, he'll still be involved with the program's fundraising. It's fitting that he went out on top because he is a top-notch coach and person."
Williams, 51, played water polo at USC from 1966-68 and was a two-time All-American. After two seasons as an assistant coach, he took over the head coaching duties in 1973 and turned the USC water polo team into one of the nation's best. His last 21 teams finished in the top seven nationally, including six second-place finishes before USC's first championship last fall. Williams coached 87 All-Americans in his 26 seasons. He and Vavic were named the 1998 National Coaches of the Year, and Williams was named conference coach of the year three times (1983, 1987 and 1996).
In 1981, water polo was almost dropped by USC for budgetary reasons, but Williams was able to raise enough funds to keep the sport alive. He also was responsible for starting the women's water polo program at USC.
In addition to water polo, Williams is a certified public accountant and is the founder and managing partner of Williams & Ribb LLP, a CPA firm with offices in Los Angeles and Long Beach. He and his wife, Jeanne, reside in Long Beach and have three children: Erin, age 16; Ryan, 14; and Stephen, 11.
