HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i has named UCLA's James Robinson the new associate head coach of women's water polo.
 
"I am so excited to welcome James to the Wahine Water polo program and the state of Hawaii," said head coach Maureen Cole. "James is a dedicated, hardworking coach who takes pride in a positive team culture. He has tremendous water polo knowledge and a firsthand understanding of what it takes to be the very best. I have no doubt that he will have a positive impact on our student-athletes and look forward to the role he will play in helping our program moving forward."
 
"I am looking forward to working with a dedicated group that has a real opportunity to do something special," said Robinson. "Hawaii is a competitive program and can work towards something every program dreams of, reaching the NCAA tournament and competing for a national championship. I plan on helping them continue the path of success they have achieved and to push the program forward to reach these goals. I look forward to embracing the University of Hawai'i's unique culture and learning more about the sport of water polo from Coach Mo."
 
After redshirting his freshman year in 2013, Robinson went on to be a part of three national championship-winning teams. He was a combined four-time All-Academic selection by the ACWPC and MPSF. In his career as a Bruin, he scored 44 goals, and contributed 48 assists, 35 steals, 14 field blocks and 10 drawn exclusions.
 
Robinson graduated UCLA in 2017 with a bachelor's degree in political science. After winning his third and final title in 2017, he continued to play professionally in Australia with the Hunter Hurricanes in Newcastle, Australia, for six months.
 
During his time abroad, he also spent time in New Zealand as a coach for the Sacred Heart boys' team and the Sea Wolf Water Polo Club. Robinson returned to UCLA in January 2019 to work in the Academic and Student Services office before being named assistant coach in September of that year.
 
During his time as an assistant at UCLA, Robinson has helped the Bruins to a combined 58-13 record. The Bruins also made a semi-final and finals appearance in 2021 and 2022 NCAA tournament.