For the first time in more than 20 years, the San Benito High
boys varsity water polo team will be guided by a different head
coach this upcoming season. Aaron Gautney, 29, who had been
coaching the San Benito girls’ junior varsity team for the last
three seasons, will take over the boys varsity coaching reigns this
fall following the retirement of Tom Agan, who stepped down in
January after leading the Balers’ polo team for the last 21
seasons.
HOLLISTER
For the first time in more than 20 years, the San Benito High boys varsity water polo team will be guided by a different head coach this upcoming season.
Aaron Gautney, 29, who had been coaching the San Benito girls’ junior varsity team for the last three seasons, will take over the boys varsity coaching reigns this fall following the retirement of Tom Agan, who stepped down in January after leading the Balers’ polo team for the last 21 seasons.
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Gautney, who was named to the vacated spot in June, becomes just the second head coach of the Balers since 1990, when the sport was reintroduced to the high school after a brief hiatus during the 1980s.
“I was happy to be with the girls because I just wanted to coach,” said Gautney, whose goal it was to eventually coach the boys team at San Benito High. Gautney attended the Hollister high school his freshman and sophomore years before moving to the Sacramento area, where he attended Davis Senior High School as an upperclassman.
“I play to win,” he said. “I want the boys to have a good time and learn a lot and have fun. But a lot of that can be achieved by winning and feeling confident as a water polo player … knowing that they’re in shape and outplaying the other team, outlasting the other team.
“The more confident the kid feels as a player, the less likely they’ll make fundamental mistakes.”
Gautney, who graduated from Davis Senior High after helping lead the Blue Devils to both a league and Sac-Joaquin Section title in 1998 and 1999 — he played whole defense — played club water polo for several teams post-high school while also receiving his masters in business.
Returning to Hollister in recent years, Gautney took over the girls’ JV team, which he guided to two straight Tri-County Athletic League titles and a runner-up finish just last season.
Although no win-loss records were reported, Gautney said the 2009 JV team went undefeated.
“I was pretty happy with how we did,” Gautney said. “Now that it’s varsity, I think I can push the guys a little harder and expect a little more out of them.
“But I was happy. The JV girls did well.”
Gautney, who has run several marathons in recent years, plans on stressing physical fitness to his new team, plans on continuing a team-first approach, and plans on implementing two-a-day practices during the school year — with one practice before school three times a week, and another practice after school.
“When I moved to Davis, we practiced five times a week, morning and afternoon,” said Gautney, who teaches math at San Benito High. “We were able to play together and develop more skill. I think double practices do a lot for a team.”
Two-a-day practices is something Gautney’s coaching colleague of the last three seasons, girls varsity head coach Hayley Vandercook, implemented when she first started at San Benito.
“I think he’s gonna do great. He’s always wanted to coach the boys,” Vandercook said. “He loves water polo, loves working out and I think the guys are gonna really love him. He’s gonna get the boys into shape and put a competitive team together.”
Last season, the Balers compiled a 13-12 overall record, 7-2 in the TCAL. They advanced to the Central Coast Section Division I Championships for the first time since 2007, but dropped their opening-round contest to Monta Vista.
Having played whole defense when he was in high school, Gautney said he does emphasize a defensive approach in his coaching, but he doesn’t forget about the offensive side of the pool, either.
“It kind of depends on the team you have, too,” he said. “You have to play to the strengths of your team.”
Although it graduated just four seniors from last year’s squad, San Benito will be without its top scorer and starting keeper entering this season. All-league selection Josh Schafer is expected to return for his senior campaign, though.
With the fall season set to get under way on Aug. 12, Gautney plans on having his team in top physical shape, with visits to the weight room, the pool, and perhaps even a little running as well.
“A lot of training, a lot of conditioning, focus on the fundamentals and play as a team,” Gautney said.
San Benito High School is seeking to fill coaching positions for the following sports: boys junior varsity water polo; girls junior varsity water polo; varsity baseball; freshman boys basketball; varsity boys golf; varsity girls golf; varsity boys volleyball; and varsity boys basketball. For more information, log on to: www.sbhsd.k12.ca.us
