Wade Named Assistant Water Polo Coach

SHERMAN, Texas – Austin College has named Max Wade as the new assistant water polo coach for both the men's and women's programs, incoming Director of Athletics Michelle Filander announced. 

"I am extremely excited to be welcomed back into the Austin College athletics community," said Wade, a former standout for the 'Roo men's water polo program. "I want to thank Austin College, the athletics department, and head coach Mark Lawrence for selecting me. I am happy to be back at my alma mater and give back to the program that gave me so much. Thank you, and let's go 'Roos!"

A 2023 graduate of Austin College, Wade is one of the most prolific goal scorers in program history and was named a Division III All-American by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Since graduating from Austin College, Wade has earned his master's degree of science in health and human performance from Salem University in West Virginia, where he also served as a graduate assistant for the men's and women's water polo teams. Most recently, Wade worked as an assistant for the University of the Pacific's men's and women's water polo teams during the 2024-25 academic year.

"I am thrilled to welcome Max back to the Austin College program," said Lawrence. "While a member of the 'Roos program, Max excelled both in the pool and in the classroom and was a great ambassador. Now, we are able to welcome Max back as a coach with a great deal of experience gained from extremely successful and nationally respected water polo programs. Like I told Max when he committed to play at Austin College, our Austin College water polo family just got stronger."

Wade, a native of Flower Mound, has also previously served as a student coach for the Austin College women's water polo team in 2022 and 2023 and has worked extensively with club programs throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He's also gained experience at the youth level working with USA Water Polo.

"I am looking forward to having Max return to Austin College athletics and our water polo programs," said Filander. "Max truly understands what it means to be a student-athlete at Austin College and brings back with him fantastic experience that will aid not only our water polo program but our department as a whole."

Wade was also a standout in the classroom while a student at Austin College, earning MPSF Academic All-American status and being inducted into the Phi Alpha Theta History Honors Society. Wade earned his degree from Austin College in history, with a minor in kinesiology. He is set to officially begin working in this position on August 1.