LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. -- U.S. women's Olympic water polo coach Guy Baker is taking over as coach of the American men's team.
Baker, who guided the U.S. women to medals at the 2000 and '04 Olympics, succeeds Ratko Rudic, who quit in December to become the head coach for his native Croatia.
"Making the decision to go over to the men's side was really difficult, but as a coach it was great to have the opportunity to build a program," Baker said. "I had to weigh that against the women's success over the last few years, which was tough. I've enjoyed coaching them."
The American women won silver at the 2000 Sydney Games and a bronze in Athens. In 2003, the U.S. women were just the second non-European team to win a world championship.
Baker previously coached the men's team at UCLA, winning NCAA titles in 1995, '96, '99 and 2000. He also coached UCLA's women to three national titles from 1996-98.
Baker's assistants will be Kyle Kopp and former U.S. men's assistant Dan Leyson.
