Dan Marella Has Interim Tag Removed to Lead Pepperdine Program
Dan Marella has had the interim tag removed to become the full-time head coach of Pepperdine women’s swimming and diving.
The school made the announcement on Tuesday. Marella had served as interim head coach since December, when Ellie Monobe was hired away to lead Saint Mary’s program launch.
Marella has been on the Waves’ staff since September 2022, when he joined as a volunteer assistant coach. He became a full assistant coach the following year.
“I am incredibly honored to be named the Head Swimming and Diving Coach at Pepperdine University,” Marella said in a press release. “Over the past few years, I’ve seen the commitment, resilience, and belief that defines this program. Our goal is simple: to develop student-athletes of character, excel in the classroom, compete for championships and represent Pepperdine with pride.”
Marella helped the Waves capture two conference championships, including the program’s first in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation in 2025. He led the Waves to finish sixth at the MPSF Championships this year, setting six program records out of the 13 set under his tutelage, including four new relay records overall. Marella also led Pepperdine to its first win over rival San Diego since 2021 in January and qualified two divers to NCAA Diving Zones.
Marella is a native of Cupertino, Calif. He graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in music studies. He was a two-time team captain for the Gauchos, leading teams that three times finished in the top three at MPSF.
“Dan has demonstrated an exceptional ability to connect with our student-athletes in and out of the pool while playing a vital role in the program’s unprecedented success over the past few seasons,” Pepperdine Director of Athletics Tanner Gardner said. “He has successfully led with purpose this season while stepping in as interim head coach in November, and we’re excited for the future of Pepperdine Swimming & Diving under his direction.”