Ed Carrera, who led Crean Lutheran boys to CIF title, resigns as water polo coach

Ed Carrera talks to his Crean Lutheran players during a match in November 2021 when the Saints won the CIF title. (Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs).

Ed Carrera confirmed this week he has resigned as head boys and girls water polo coach at Crean Lutheran High School after three seasons leading the programs.

“Crean (Lutheran) was great,” Carrera said.  “Lots of firsts, first league championships (two), first CIF championship, first time making it to CIF (playoffs) for girls. Proud of our work.”

Carrera led Crean Lutheran’s boys water polo team to its first CIF title in 2021 when the Saints defeated Ocean View 10-6 to capture the Division 6 title.

“All the years at Crean (Lutheran) were amazing but the CIF championship season was something I’ll never forget,” he said. “The kids had never won a league game and they weren’t expecting much out of the season, and we accomplished the impossible without transfers, and or incoming club kids. We were a homegrown championship which means the world to me.”

Carrera said he will continue to be involved in coaching.

“I am the director as North Irvine water polo club and coaching with all the groups when time permits, especially the younger ages 10-and-under and 12-and-under right now,” he said.

Crean Lutheran athletic officials have announced that Jeffrey Runyan, a former standout water polo player at Concordia University Irvine, will be the school’s new Director of Aquatics and boys and girls water polo coach.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com