By 
The administration at Newport Harbor High School in California dispelled most of the mystery about the future of its famous water polo program by naming Dean Crow director of Newport Beach Water Polo Club, Brian Melstrom as successor to the legendary Bill Barnett as girls’ high school coach, and Marco Palazzo interim head coach of the boys’ high school team. Those changes were announced Monday evening at an event hosted by school Principal Sean Boulton. The news was first tweeted by the Daily Pilot.
Palazzo’s interim status should be removed within a year and is a deliberate sign of caution after the tumultuous exits of former coach Robert Lynn in July and his predecessor Jason Lynch in 2011, according to a person with knowledge of the process. Lynn tabbed Palazzo as assistant with the Newport club and high school after the two served as assistants to Terry Schroeder on the US Men’s National Team that placed eighth at the 2012 London Olympics.
The coaching turnover on the boys’ side has not been similarly matched on the girls’. Hall-of-fame coach Bill Barnett took the position in 2005 and recently announced he would leave the program after the upcoming winter season during which he will attempt to lead the Sailors to their sixth CIF Section championship. Assistant Brian Melstrom will maintain program continuity when he slides in to the head coaching spot after a long spell as assistant to Barnett.
New program director Dean Crow was a member of the Barnett-led boys’ squad which won the CIF-SS 4A crown in 1983. He went on to play at UC Irvine.
