James Graham is in his 16th season and 17th year as the men’s water polo head coach at Pacific. In July 2023, Graham was promoted to Director of Water Polo for the women's team after being the head coach for 11 years. He is the only individual in school history to coach both teams simultaneously. Compiling a combined record of 411-262 during his 16-year tenure with the Orange and Black, Graham has solidified his role as one of the most decorated and successful coaches in Pacific history.
For the men, Graham has built the Tigers into one of the nation's elite programs. Adopting a mentality to "Dream Big" and compete with the best, the Tigers have finished in the Top 10 of the ACWPA Coaches Poll since 2009, including finishing in the top four in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2019. On the women’s side, he has taken the women to finish three times in the Top 10, including their best ranking in school history; sixth in the nation.
Graham’s top accomplishments and awards earned by the men’s and women’s water polo teams during his tenure as head coach at Pacific:
- 5x GCC Coach of the Year
- 2x MPSF Coach of the Year
- 2013 NCAA National Coach of the Year
- 8 NCAA Appearances
- 3 NCAA Semi-Final Game Appearances
- 2 NCAA Championship Game Appearances
- 6x GCC Championship Tournament Winner
- 7x GCC Regular Season Conference Title
- MPSF Regular Conference Title 2013
- 7 Cutino Award Finalists
- 2 Cutino Awards
- 5 Elite 90 Awards
- 42 All-Americans
- 8 Conference Player of the Year Awards
Graham has worked for USA Water Polo in a variety of capacities since 2004.
- Team USA Jr. Men's Assistant Coach at the World Men's U20 Championships, the team won bronze, the first ever medal at those championships
- Team USA Head coach women’s university world games in 2019
- Team USA Head coach men’s university world games in 2017
- Team USA Head of Analytics for men’s and women’s 2016 Olympic squads
- Team USA Analyst for men’s 2012 Olympic squad
- Asst coach for us youth national team in 2006-07
- Head coach USA holiday camp and 2-meter camp 2004-2006
In 2012, he founded Water Polo Analytics Group and began working with Pacific Assistant Professor of Mathematics, John Mayberry. Since then, Graham and Mayberry have co-authored three different academic journals and were featured in a chapter of
The Economics of Aquatic Sports.
- "Measures of Tactical Efficiency in Water Polo", a study published in the Journal of Analysis in Sports
- “Change the rules, change the game? Offensive tactics in elite men’s water polo from London to Tokyo”, a study published in the International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport
- “The ebb and flow of official calls in water polo”, a study published in the Journal of Sports Analytics
In what little spare time Graham has away from the pool, he still works with other coaches on his podcast,
Deep Dive: Conversations with Coaches.
Graham began his playing career at Santa Rosa Junior College, where he played for two years. His stellar play garnered an Honorable Mention All-America and All-Northern California honors during the 1999 season. Graham spent his final two years at the University of Redlands, suiting up for the Bulldogs from 2001-02. Graham was a two-time Academic All-American and earned All-SCIAC honors as a senior.
Prior to joining Pacific, Graham would go back to coach at his alma mater, Santa Rosa Junior College. Graham built the Bear Cubs into a state power, carrying a career record of 86-50-1, which included a school-best third place finish at the California State Championships and Big 8 Conference title in 2007. For his efforts, Graham was named the 2007 Big 8 Conference Coach of the Year. It was his second consecutive Coach of the Year honor as he won the same award in 2006 after taking the Bear Cubs to the Northern California Championship. He was honored as the Northern California Coach of the year in 2006.
THE JAMES GRAHAM FILE
Coaching Experience
2008 - Present: Pacific, Head Coach (Men)
2013 - Present: Pacific, Head Coach (Women)
2005-07: Assistant Coach, United States National Youth Team
2003-07: Santa Rosa JC, Head Coach
Coaching History
| Year |
School |
Position |
Record |
Postseason - M |
Postseason - W |
| 2023-24 |
Pacific |
Head Coach, M |
12-14 |
- |
- |
| 2022-23 |
Pacific |
Head Coach, M/W |
22-7 / 22-8 |
NCAA Semifinal |
|
| 2021-22 |
Pacific |
Head Coach, M/W |
10-12 / 14-11 |
- |
- |
| 2020-21 |
Pacific |
Head Coach, M/W |
N/A / 9-6 |
- |
- |
| 2019-20 |
Pacific |
Head Coach, M/W |
17-6 / 3-13 |
NCAA Runner-Up |
- |
| 2018-19 |
Pacific |
Head Coach, M/W |
12-12 / 18-9 |
- |
NCAA Quarterfinal |
| 2017-18 |
Pacific |
Head Coach, M/W |
20-6 / 18-9 |
NCAA Semifinal |
NCAA Quarterfinal |
| 2016-17 |
Pacific |
Head Coach, M/W |
19-7 / 21-9 |
- |
NCAA Quarterfinal |
| 2015-16 |
Pacific |
Head Coach, M/W |
23-5 / 16-17 |
- |
- |
| 2014-15 |
Pacific |
Head Coach, M/W |
14-12 / 16-10 |
- |
- |
| 2013-14 |
Pacific |
Head Coach, M/W |
23-5 / 14-17 |
NCAA Runner-Up |
- |
| 2012-13 |
Pacific |
Head Coach, M/W |
13-12 / 16-16 |
- |
- |
| 2011 |
Pacific |
Head Coach, M |
13-14 |
- |
- |
| 2010 |
Pacific |
Head Coach, M |
17-11 |
- |
- |
| 2009 |
Pacific |
Head Coach, M |
16-18 |
- |
- |
| 2008 |
Pacific |
Head Coach, M |
13-17 |
- |
- |
| 2007 |
Santa Rosa JC |
Head Coach |
19-5 |
CCCAA Third Place |
- |
| 2006 |
Santa Rosa JC |
Head Coach |
Not available |
CCCAA Semifinal |
- |
| 2005 |
Santa Rosa JC |
Head Coach |
Not available |
NorCal Third Place |
- |
| 2004 |
Santa Rosa JC |
Head Coach |
Not available |
- |
- |
| 2003 |
Santa Rosa JC |
Head Coach |
2-27 |
- |
- |
