Virgen: Sinclair, Peirsol here to save the day

It’s not too often when a coach gets in my face and expresses such anger that I think a physical fight would ensue.

But that’s what happened in May of 2012 when then-Newport Harbor High boys’ water polo coach Robert Lynn didn’t take a liking to a question I had for him.

I remembered being so angered by the confrontation days after the event, but calm when he was so mad at the U.S. men’s water polo team’s exhibition game against Hungary at Newport Harbor.

The place was packed to watch the Americans beat Hungary, 12-9. Everything seemed like a success.

And so I asked, “Just where does all this money generated from this event go?”

His eyebrows turned in as he scowled.

“This is supposed to be a positive event,” he told me in a loud tone. “Who do you think you are asking that question?”

You’d think someone had just snapped at his Speedo to slap against his skin. He ended the interview and pointed me in a different direction.

I had witnessed what some of my friends told me about this man’s reputation. He’s a hothead, they told me. You don’t want to rattle his cage, another friend said.

We were able to come to an agreement after the May incident in 2012, but I was left knowing he was definitely an intense coach.

He was an odd and fiery one, that Robert Lynn. I heard he showed up to the interview for the job in 2011 at Newport Harbor wearing shorts and flip flops, as he lugged a back pack. Who did he think he was with that attire?

The guy can coach, that’s for sure. He pushed his players and got the best out of most of them. He had quite the resume, as he was a U.S. men’s water polo assistant coach.

But he left Newport Harbor amid controversy back in August. Many rumors flew, but one thing’s for certain his bully persona didn’t help matters.

Lynn also coached boys’ swimming at the school. There is a rich tradition in aquatics at Newport Harbor.

There is now more rebuilding to take place.

Who can make it better? Who can save the day?

It’s a pair of Newport Harbor alums. Two Newport Beach lifeguards. Two cool dudes who would never be described as hotheads.

Kudos to Newport Harbor on the recent hiring of Ross Sinclair as its boys’ water polo coach. He joins Aaron Peirsol, the new boys’ swim coach, to form something special at Newport Harbor.

The Long Grey Line has been restored, and it’s only a matter of time that success will follow in the pool.

But these hirings weren’t so much about the winning factor. This is more about two young men who deeply care about their community and their alma mater.

I’m not saying the former coach didn’t care. But I am saying: so long Robert Lynn.

Sinclair actually interviewed for the job against Lynn in 2011. It looks like Newport Harbor got it right this time.

Peirsol and Sinclair are good friends. They were classmates at Newport Harbor, where Peirsol graduated in 2002 and Sinclair in 2003.

Peirsol is known for his laid-back, down-to-earth personality. Sinclair has a knack for making a connection to his players.

This is not to say the new coaches are totally nice guys. They are competitors. They know what it takes to win. Hard work. I had the honor of reporting on both in their high school days.

Peirsol led Newport Harbor to its first and only CIF Southern Section Division I title in boys’ swim in 2002. Peirsol, as you know, went on to superstardom. Some might call him “Pine sol,” while others know him as the Backstroke King with five Olympic gold medals and two world records in the backstroke.

Sinclair was a star in water polo for the Sailors. He was one of those pure athletes who most likely would’ve been a gift in any other sport at Newport Harbor, but his game was water polo.

He went on to greatness at UC Santa Barbara, where he was a three-time team captain and two-time NCAA All-American.

And how’s this for livening up the Battle of the Bay rivalry: Sinclair left his job as girls’ water polo coach at Corona del Mar to work at Newport Harbor.

Yes, Peirsol and Sinclair are known as great athletes, former NHHS stars. They might even become known as great coaches in the future.

For now, they are known as saving the day at Newport Harbor.