Long Beach State Extends Three Head Coaches
11/26/2025 9:40:00 AM | Men's Water Polo, Women's Beach Volleyball, Women's Water Polo
All three lead programs routinely ranked among the nation’s best.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Executive Director of Athletics Bobby Smitheran has announced contract extensions for three head coaches, as Women's Water Polo Head Coach Shana Welch, Beach Volleyball Head Coach Mike Campbell, and Men's Water Polo Head Coach Gavin Arroyo have all accepted mid-contract extensions through the end of the 2030 Fiscal Year.
"I am thrilled to announce contract extensions for Gavin Arroyo, Shana Welch, and Mike Campbell," said Smitheran. "Each of them has demonstrated unwavering commitment to our student-athletes, our university, and our 'Long Beach Built' culture. We are incredibly fortunate to have coaches who not only win, but who care deeply about the holistic experience of their student-athletes.
"Their loyalty, commitment, and belief in the direction of our department are inspiring. I am excited about what the future holds with Gavin, Shana, and Mike continuing to lead their programs, and I am grateful for the stability and excellence they bring to Long Beach State Athletics. Together, we will keep pushing the Beach forward."
Gavin Arroyo is in his 20th year at the head of the Men's Water Polo program, and is continuing to lead a consistently excellent program. Arroyo has been named conference coach of the year five times and has led Long Beach State to the NCAA Tournament in three of the last seven seasons. This year, Long Beach State is once again ranked in the top 10 nationally and went undefeated in Big West play on the way to the team's ninth conference title, the third in the last five seasons for Arroyo.
Inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame in 2020, Arroyo is also an internationally recognized coach, having worked as an Assistant Coach for the USA Men's Water Polo team in each of the last two cycles, going to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and winning a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Games. Under his guidance, Long Beach State has ranked in the top 10 to finish the season in 17 of 19 full seasons, including a high of No. 4 in the country and a No. 5 ranking to end the 2024 season.
"I want to thank Bobby for allowing me to continue to do the work at the place that I love," said Arroyo. "My family and I are embedded here in the fabric of the City of Long Beach. It's never been a more exciting time to be coaching water polo in Long Beach as LA28 is right around the corner, and our efforts at Long Beach State will help build and capture that excitement."
Shana Welch is lifting the Women's Water Polo program at the Beach to new heights. Long Beach State went 17-11 in the sixth season under Welch, who for the second straight season finished the year ranked No. 6 in the nation. The Beach went 6-1 in Big West play and remains tantalizingly close to breaking into the elite programs of the sport.
Welch has led the program to 13 All-American selections and 15 All-Big West picks, in addition to posting a 75-50 overall record in her tenure as the official head coach of the program. Long Beach State had its best conference record since 2016 last season in 2025 and is poised for another big season in 2026.
"I'm deeply grateful to continue serving as head coach of the Long Beach State Women's Water Polo program," said Welch. "I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Athletic Director Bobby Smitheran and Senior Associate Athletics Director Mark Edrington for their unwavering support and for their trust and continued confidence in our vision and shared belief in what this team can accomplish.
"Long Beach State is a place where tradition, community, and competitive spirit come together, and it's a privilege to coach such exceptional young women who represent the Beach with heart, passion, and pride, and alongside Katie Card Neidermire, who shares a relentless commitment to excellence. I'm excited for the future, inspired by our student-athletes, and honored to keep building something truly special here. The foundation we've built is strong, and I'm energized by the opportunities ahead. The Beach is on the rise, and I'm grateful to continue this journey with our team and community. We're just getting started."
Under the leadership of Mike Campbell, Long Beach State's Beach Volleyball program is one of the icons of the sport, one of five programs to win a national title, and the Beach has never dropped out of the AVCA national rankings. Campbell has led the program for the last 12 seasons, winning Big West Coach of the Year on three occasions. Campbell is 227-118 in his tenure as the head coach at the Beach.
Long Beach State has made the NCAA Tournament in each of the last three seasons and has won two Big West Championships, including last season when the team went 27-12 overall and finished in the top 10 nationally. The Beach is primed for another big season in 2026, as seniors Taylor Hagenah and Malia Gementera won the AVCA Individual Pairs Championship this fall, and the duo already hold the career wins record for the Beach.
"I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue leading the Long Beach State beach volleyball program," said Campbell. "I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Bobby for his collaboration and guidance throughout the contract process. For more than a decade, my commitment has been to build a program that not only competes at the highest level on the sand, but also positively impacts our student-athletes and the broader Long Beach community.
"As I evaluated my future, it was important for me to be in an environment that challenges me as a coach, mentor, colleague, and person. Long Beach State embodies all of those qualities, and I am excited to continue contributing to the strong, winning culture that defines this university."
"I am thrilled to announce contract extensions for Gavin Arroyo, Shana Welch, and Mike Campbell," said Smitheran. "Each of them has demonstrated unwavering commitment to our student-athletes, our university, and our 'Long Beach Built' culture. We are incredibly fortunate to have coaches who not only win, but who care deeply about the holistic experience of their student-athletes.
"Their loyalty, commitment, and belief in the direction of our department are inspiring. I am excited about what the future holds with Gavin, Shana, and Mike continuing to lead their programs, and I am grateful for the stability and excellence they bring to Long Beach State Athletics. Together, we will keep pushing the Beach forward."
Gavin Arroyo is in his 20th year at the head of the Men's Water Polo program, and is continuing to lead a consistently excellent program. Arroyo has been named conference coach of the year five times and has led Long Beach State to the NCAA Tournament in three of the last seven seasons. This year, Long Beach State is once again ranked in the top 10 nationally and went undefeated in Big West play on the way to the team's ninth conference title, the third in the last five seasons for Arroyo.
Inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame in 2020, Arroyo is also an internationally recognized coach, having worked as an Assistant Coach for the USA Men's Water Polo team in each of the last two cycles, going to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and winning a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Games. Under his guidance, Long Beach State has ranked in the top 10 to finish the season in 17 of 19 full seasons, including a high of No. 4 in the country and a No. 5 ranking to end the 2024 season.
"I want to thank Bobby for allowing me to continue to do the work at the place that I love," said Arroyo. "My family and I are embedded here in the fabric of the City of Long Beach. It's never been a more exciting time to be coaching water polo in Long Beach as LA28 is right around the corner, and our efforts at Long Beach State will help build and capture that excitement."
Shana Welch is lifting the Women's Water Polo program at the Beach to new heights. Long Beach State went 17-11 in the sixth season under Welch, who for the second straight season finished the year ranked No. 6 in the nation. The Beach went 6-1 in Big West play and remains tantalizingly close to breaking into the elite programs of the sport.
Welch has led the program to 13 All-American selections and 15 All-Big West picks, in addition to posting a 75-50 overall record in her tenure as the official head coach of the program. Long Beach State had its best conference record since 2016 last season in 2025 and is poised for another big season in 2026.
"I'm deeply grateful to continue serving as head coach of the Long Beach State Women's Water Polo program," said Welch. "I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Athletic Director Bobby Smitheran and Senior Associate Athletics Director Mark Edrington for their unwavering support and for their trust and continued confidence in our vision and shared belief in what this team can accomplish.
"Long Beach State is a place where tradition, community, and competitive spirit come together, and it's a privilege to coach such exceptional young women who represent the Beach with heart, passion, and pride, and alongside Katie Card Neidermire, who shares a relentless commitment to excellence. I'm excited for the future, inspired by our student-athletes, and honored to keep building something truly special here. The foundation we've built is strong, and I'm energized by the opportunities ahead. The Beach is on the rise, and I'm grateful to continue this journey with our team and community. We're just getting started."
Under the leadership of Mike Campbell, Long Beach State's Beach Volleyball program is one of the icons of the sport, one of five programs to win a national title, and the Beach has never dropped out of the AVCA national rankings. Campbell has led the program for the last 12 seasons, winning Big West Coach of the Year on three occasions. Campbell is 227-118 in his tenure as the head coach at the Beach.
Long Beach State has made the NCAA Tournament in each of the last three seasons and has won two Big West Championships, including last season when the team went 27-12 overall and finished in the top 10 nationally. The Beach is primed for another big season in 2026, as seniors Taylor Hagenah and Malia Gementera won the AVCA Individual Pairs Championship this fall, and the duo already hold the career wins record for the Beach.
"I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue leading the Long Beach State beach volleyball program," said Campbell. "I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Bobby for his collaboration and guidance throughout the contract process. For more than a decade, my commitment has been to build a program that not only competes at the highest level on the sand, but also positively impacts our student-athletes and the broader Long Beach community.
"As I evaluated my future, it was important for me to be in an environment that challenges me as a coach, mentor, colleague, and person. Long Beach State embodies all of those qualities, and I am excited to continue contributing to the strong, winning culture that defines this university."
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
/ Women's Beach Volleyball
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