University Southern California Trojans
USC Men’s Water Polo Announces New Staff Updates
January 21, 2026 | Men's Water Polo
The USC men's water polo team has made changes to its coaching staff as announced by head coach Marko Pintaric.
William Grant has joined the Trojan coaching staff as an assistant coach and Sasha Bucur has been named the Director of Player Development.
Sasha rejoined the USC staff as an assistant coach for the 2025 season and will move into the role of Director of Player Development for the upcoming season.
"I would like to thank Sasha for stepping into an assistant coaching role last season," Pintaric said. "I'm excited to announce that he will remain part of the Trojan Family as he transitions into the role of Director of Player Development, focusing on the long-term success of our student-athletes in their professional endeavors."
Previously, he served as a volunteer assistant coach at USC from 2000-19 and coached the Trojan men from 1991-99 and with the women in their inaugural season in 1995-99. His coaching experience also includes time with LA Premier Water Polo Club. A native of Bucharest, Romania, Sasha was a member of the Romanian Junior National Team, and his club team won the National Club Championships three times.
Grant enters his first season as an Assistant Coach and the Director of Recruiting for the USC men's water polo program, joining head coach Marko Pintaric's staff in January of 2026.
"We couldn't be more excited to add William to our staff," Pintaric said. "He joins us from Santa Clara with great experience and has been a huge part in their success over the past four years as well as his time spent with Stanford Club and the Olympic Development Program. He will be a key asset in his new role as Director of Recruiting, working to bring in elite talent that exemplifies the standards and values of USC Men's Water Polo."
Grant comes to USC with extensive experience at the collegiate, club, and national team levels. He previously spent four seasons as the assistant coach at Santa Clara University, contributing to the program's improved success and continued momentum in roster development during his tenure.
In addition to his collegiate experience, Grant served as the High School Director for the Stanford Water Polo Club from 2021 to 2025. In this role, he oversaw training and competition for multiple age groups while maintaining a consistent developmental and cultural standard.
Grant has also been involved with USA Water Polo throughout his career, most recently serving as a Pacific Zone Head Coach within the Olympic Development Program working with top athletes throughout the regional and national evaluation process.
A graduate of Santa Clara University, Grant earned his bachelor's degree in biology in 2016 and later completed a master's degree in marine biology at San Francisco State University in 2021. He brings a strong commitment to player development and high-performance culture as he joins the Trojan men's water polo program.
William Grant has joined the Trojan coaching staff as an assistant coach and Sasha Bucur has been named the Director of Player Development.
Sasha rejoined the USC staff as an assistant coach for the 2025 season and will move into the role of Director of Player Development for the upcoming season.
"I would like to thank Sasha for stepping into an assistant coaching role last season," Pintaric said. "I'm excited to announce that he will remain part of the Trojan Family as he transitions into the role of Director of Player Development, focusing on the long-term success of our student-athletes in their professional endeavors."
Previously, he served as a volunteer assistant coach at USC from 2000-19 and coached the Trojan men from 1991-99 and with the women in their inaugural season in 1995-99. His coaching experience also includes time with LA Premier Water Polo Club. A native of Bucharest, Romania, Sasha was a member of the Romanian Junior National Team, and his club team won the National Club Championships three times.
Grant enters his first season as an Assistant Coach and the Director of Recruiting for the USC men's water polo program, joining head coach Marko Pintaric's staff in January of 2026.
"We couldn't be more excited to add William to our staff," Pintaric said. "He joins us from Santa Clara with great experience and has been a huge part in their success over the past four years as well as his time spent with Stanford Club and the Olympic Development Program. He will be a key asset in his new role as Director of Recruiting, working to bring in elite talent that exemplifies the standards and values of USC Men's Water Polo."
Grant comes to USC with extensive experience at the collegiate, club, and national team levels. He previously spent four seasons as the assistant coach at Santa Clara University, contributing to the program's improved success and continued momentum in roster development during his tenure.
In addition to his collegiate experience, Grant served as the High School Director for the Stanford Water Polo Club from 2021 to 2025. In this role, he oversaw training and competition for multiple age groups while maintaining a consistent developmental and cultural standard.
Grant has also been involved with USA Water Polo throughout his career, most recently serving as a Pacific Zone Head Coach within the Olympic Development Program working with top athletes throughout the regional and national evaluation process.
A graduate of Santa Clara University, Grant earned his bachelor's degree in biology in 2016 and later completed a master's degree in marine biology at San Francisco State University in 2021. He brings a strong commitment to player development and high-performance culture as he joins the Trojan men's water polo program.
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