By Madeline Folsom on SwimSwam
Saint Mary’s College announced in September that they would be adding Division I swimming and water polo programs for the 2026 school year. Today they announced that Ellie Monobe, who has been the head coach at Pepperdine, will be taking over as head coach for both the men’s and women’s programs for their inaugural 2026-27 season.
This was the 2nd major coaching announcement from the school this week with Stephen Loomis being named the head water polo coach yesterday morning.
There were a number of “high-profile” coaches who were interested in the position and who wanted to return to California with Monobe ultimately earning the position. She will leave her post at Pepperdine, where she has spent the past six seasons.
While with the Waves, Monobe led them to their first-ever conference championship in 2022 while they were a member of the Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference. They followed that win up with another title in 2023 before moving to the MPSF. In 2025, they earned their 3rd conference title in four years and their first in the MPSF.
Monobe has also earned four Coach of the Year awards. In 2021, 2022, and 2023 she earned the designation with the PCSC and last season she won the award in the MPSF.
Saint Mary’s Vice President Mike Matoso said “We are thrilled to have someone with such high accolades and character in Ellie join our athletic department and lead our swimming program. Ellie is a perfect fit for the campus community and her success coaching will be a tremendous asset as we build the swimming program.”
She will take over duties at Saint Mary’s beginning on December 1st, leaving Pepperdine under the guidance of assistant coach Dan Marella for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. She will coach her final meet with the team this coming Saturday against UCSD and UCSB.
When the Saint Mary’s Gaels begin competition next season, they will be part of the MPSF, competing with Pepperdine for the conference championships.
Pepperdine athletic director Tanner Gardner said “We are extremely grateful for Ellie’s leadership and passion, which have led to unprecedented success for our student-athletes both in and out of the pool. We wish her the very best in this next chapter.”
Before being hired at Pepperdine, Monobe worked at UC Santa Barbara under Matt Macedo, where she was the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator for both the men’s and women’s programs. She has also been an assistant at UNLV and UMass, and San Jose State.
While still in college, Monobe got her first coaching job as an undergraduate assistant/volunteer assistant at Cal, her alma mater, from 2011-2012.
She competed for the Golden Bears for four seasons from 2007-2011 as a breaststroke and IMer. While she was with the program, the women’s team won two National Titles and a Pac-10 Championship.
“I’m honored to join Saint Mary’s College and help launch the men’s and women’s swimming programs. I’d like to thank VP Mike Matoso and senior athletic staff for entrusting me with this incredible opportunity,” Monobe said. “Their vision, commitment, and enthusiasm for aquatics makes this an exciting time to be a part of Saint Mary’s. I look forward to building a championship caliber program in the Bay Area, well known for its rich aquatic traditions.”
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