NORTON, Mass. – Justin Kassab has been named Associate Head Coach for both the Men's Water Polo and Women's Water Polo programs at Wheaton College (Mass.), it was announced today by Lisa Yenush, Interim Director of Athletics and Recreation.
Kassab will join Head Coach GT Ladd on the sidelines for both water polo programs for the Lyons.
"I am beyond excited to have Justin joining me in leading the water polo program here at Wheaton College," explained Ladd. "His experience and elite coaching skills will further elevate the men's and women's teams towards our lofty goals. Most importantly, Justin shares my applied emphasis on strong academics and supporting the overall achievement of our players. Our combined forces will empower our players to realize their fullest potential as scholars, athletes and people."
Kassab brings over ten years of collegiate coaching experience in head and assistant roles along with extensive USA Water Polo coaching and elite instruction. He served as an assistant coach with Washington & Jefferson College Men's & Women's Water Polo teams for two years (2023-2025) and an assistant coach with Salem University Men's Water Polo for six years (2016-2022), while concurrently leading Salem's Women's Water Polo Team as Head Coach for five years (2017-2022).
Under his direction, the Tigers' women's team captured back-to-back Western Water Polo Association Championships in 2021 and 2022 and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. Kassab was honored as NCAA Division II Coach of the Year and WWPA Coach of the Year for two consecutive seasons (2021, 2022). The achievement was remarkable given that Salem had just re-started its women's program just two years prior to its return for the 2019 campaign. In just his first varsity season with the Tigers, he saw them finish three spots higher in the conference standings than the coaches poll had predicted and, within two years after that, Salem hoisted a league championship trophy. During his time in West Virginia, Kassab's teams posted a .500 or better record every year and owned a 14-1 record in conference play. His leadership extended to academic mentorship of his players, who earned the highest GPA in the NCAA in 2019 and 2020, emphasizing Kassab's "student-first" educational philosophy. Kassab developed 12 All-Americans and 32 Academic All-America honorees during his five years leading Salem's women's program.
Since 2020, Kassab has remained a staple on the national water polo scene, working with USA Water Polo and the Olympic Development Program (ODP). He served as the National Team Goalie Coach for the Cadet Futures and Youth Futures Girl's teams, while serving as the Goalie Selector for the Super Regional Tournament in 2022. He has also made an impact as an Elite Instructor for the Great Lakes, Midwest and North East Zones within the Olympic Development Program.
Kassab grew up in Mechanicsburg, Pa. where at Cumberland Valley he earned High School All-America and two All-State selection honors. He went on to Slippery Rock University where he was a four-year member and two-time Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Mid-Atlantic All-Conference selection. Kassab received his bachelor's degree from Slippery Rock in Creative Writing with a minor in Film and Media Studies. He earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing along with a Master of Arts in Screenwriting from Wilkes University, before obtaining a Master of Business Administration in Sport and Recreation Management from Salem.
