LA MIRADA, Calif. — Biola Athletics has announced a new coaching structure for its water polo programs, with Jens Cole moving into a newly created role as Director of Water Polo. In his expanded capacity, Cole will serve as head coach of both the Biola men's and women's water polo programs, unifying the two under a single coaching staff and shared vision.

Joining Cole in elevated roles are Matthew Rodriguez, promoted to Senior Lead Assistant Coach for the women's program, and Trevor Campbell, promoted to Senior Lead Assistant Coach for the men's program. Samantha Rainey, who has served as goalie coach for the men's program, will now serve as goalie coach for both the men's and women's teams. Campbell and Rodriguez will also work with both programs.

"Coach Cole has a vision to see student-athletes live out their faith with passion and excellence in the sport of water polo. This structure will both broaden our Biola water polo community while simultaneously uniting and integrating these programs under one point of leadership," said Dr. Bethany Miller, Associate Vice President for Student Development and Senior Director of Athletics. "In particular, we see this as a path in which Coach Cole and this staff will be equipped to empower and inspire our student-athletes in a fierce pursuit of their formation in Christ through sport to the greatest degree, and that is exciting!"

Cole took over the Biola Men's Water Polo program in June 2025, guiding the Eagles to a 10-21 record and a runner-up finish at the WWPA Championship in his first season, while coaching two ACWPC Division II All-Americans and six All-WWPA honorees.

Before Biola, he served as an assistant coach for both the men's and women's programs at Cal State Fullerton, and spent multiple years at Westlake High School, leading the boys program from CIFSS Division III to Division I status. Cole's ties to the women's game run deep as well — he spent this past year coaching 16U and 18U girls at SET Water Polo, one of the top girls' club programs in the country, and has served on the USA Water Polo ODP Girls Cadet and Youth coaching staffs. He also coached the girls' team at Westlake.

"Excitement is an understatement when it comes to the challenge of leading both programs — specifically, the opportunity to begin leading the women's program is personally gratifying, an absolute honor and a privilege, as it gets me back to my roots having begun my coaching career on the girls' side of the sport," Cole said.

Rodriguez, a Biola Water Polo alumnus and founding member, steps into his new role after serving as an assistant coach for both programs in 2025-26. He will report directly to Cole and have an elevated leadership role in the day-to-day operations of the women's program.

"He brings a meaningful connection to the university having played four years here, on top of being a part of both the men's and women's coaching staffs this last year. He understands what it takes to win at Biola," Cole said of Rodriguez.

Campbell joined the Biola coaching staff in January 2026 as the men's program's lead assistant coach, bringing an extensive playing and coaching résumé.

He competed collegiately at California Baptist, Ventura College and California Lutheran University, earning First Team All-Western State Conference honors at Ventura and helping Cal Lutheran to a program-record 22-win season in 2021.

His coaching career spans Westlake High School — where he worked alongside Cole for three seasons — and, most recently, head coaching duties at Agoura High School. At the club and national level, Campbell has coached with South Coast Aquatics and USA Water Polo's Olympic Development Program, leading the ODP Coastal Zone Development Red Team to a national championship in 2025.

His expanded leadership role will increase his responsibilities with the men's program and add him to the women's staff for the first time.

"In a short period of time, Coach Trevor has ingrained himself into the Biola culture. This elevated position allows us to better unlock Coach Trevor's high-level coaching skillset and coaching IQ," Cole said.

Rainey, also a Biola Water Polo alumna, played goalkeeper for the Eagles before joining the men's coaching staff under previous head coach Rick Nordell. In her expanded role, she brings her experience in the cage to both the men's and women's programs. She will also continue to serve the teams in logistics and social media management.

"Coach Samantha has a world-class ability to develop goalies and brings a base of knowledge that our men's and women's goalies will benefit from. This coaching staff restructuring promotes an intentional investment into arguably the most important position in the pool for both programs," Cole said.

Historically, some of the most successful programs in the country — including UCLA and USC — have operated under a similar director-led model.

"The mission and ultimate goal is now even more imperative, as we now lead both the men's and women's collectively to establish Biola Water Polo as a perennial landing spot for the most dynamic, faithful, intelligent and talented student-athletes, domestically and internationally. To be Great for God," Cole said.

For more information on Biola Water Polo, visit athletics.biola.edu.