REDLANDS, Calif. — The University of Redlands Athletics Department announced the hiring of Aaron Wilson as the new Assistant Coach for the men's and women's water polo programs. Wilson, a former Division I standout and professional water polo player, brings a wealth of elite playing experience and a proven coaching background to the Bulldogs.

"We are excited to welcome Aaron to the University of Redlands water polo family," said Director of Aquatics and Head Men's Water Polo Coach Ryan Hall. "His experience competing at the highest levels of collegiate, professional, and international water polo, combined with his track record developing athletes at every stage, makes him a tremendous addition to our coaching staff."

Wilson's playing resume spans collegiate, professional, and international competition. He began his college career at the University of California, Davis, where he started in goal from 2021 to 2023 and finished among the top five in career saves in program history. Under his leadership in net, UC Davis posted the highest final national team ranking in program history, finishing the 2021 season at No. 5. His individual accolades at UC Davis include being named to the WWPA Conference First Team and earning CWPA All-American honors in 2021 and 2022, WWPA Finals MVP in 2021, and in 2023, First Team All-Big West honors, another CWPA All-American selection, the conference's highest block percentage, and the most blocks per game in NCAA Division I.

Wilson continued his standout play at California State University, Long Beach, in 2024, where he earned Big West Finals MVP honors, was named to the Big West Conference First Team, garnered CWPA All-American recognition, and again posted the conference's highest block percentage.

Following his collegiate career, Wilson took his talents overseas, competing as a member of the training squad for Club Athletic Barceloneta in Barcelona, Spain, from 2024 to 2026, and serving as starting goalie for Club Natacio Manresa's Equip Absolut Masculi from 2025 to 2026, where he was named MVP of the LEWaterpolo Segunda Division three times. Wilson has also represented the United States at the international level, participating in the 2022 USA Senior National Team training pool and competing for the 2022 USA Collegiate National Team.

Alongside his playing career, Wilson has built a robust coaching resume focused on athlete development at every age level. Since 2024, he has served as an assistant coach for the Polytechnic High School boys' water polo team in Pasadena, California, where he specializes in goalie coaching and assists with practice planning and in-game strategy. He currently serves as the 14U boys head coach for Pasadena Aquatics Club and also works as an age-group goalie coach for the club, tailoring training for goalies.

From 2021 to 2024, Wilson served as a goalie coach for Foothill Water Polo Club in Pomona, California, specializing in goalie development. In 2025, he also worked as a coaching consultant for the Pomona-Pitzer men's water polo team, providing specialized training and clinics to collegiate athletes. Wilson's coaching career began in 2016 as an assistant coach at the Titan Water Polo Camp in San Marino, California, where he developed individualized workouts based on skill level and worked closely with parents on long-term athlete development plans.

Wilson earned his Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of California, Davis, in June 2024. He is a graduate of Damien High School in La Verne, California, and holds an American Red Cross CPR Certification, including CPR, AED, and First Aid training.