Katie Tijerina was announced as Marist’s head water polo coach on July 14, 2026. The 2027 season marks her first as head coach of the Red Foxes.
A native of Commerce, California, Tijerina played four seasons of water polo at Marist from 2016-19, and she served as team captain as a junior and senior. She returns to Marist after having served as assistant coach of the women’s and men’s programs at Connecticut College since 2025.
Prior to her arrival at Connecticut College, Tijerina was the assistant coach at her alma mater, Rosary Academy in Fullerton, California, for three-and-a-half years. During this time, she also was the school’s Marketing & Communications Manager. She also served as the head coach of the 16U and 14U teams at MidValley Water Polo Club in Fullerton for over two-and-a-half years.
In her playing career at Marist, Tijerina totaled 207 steals, which ranks first in program history. She also ranks third in assists with 152. Tijerina was named MAAC Rookie of the Year in 2016.
Following her collegiate playing career, Tijerina played professionally in Europe with Lille in France and N.E.P. in Greece.
Tijerina graduated from Marist with a Bachelor’s degree in Digital Media in 2019. She earned her Master's degree in Media Design in 2022 from Full Sail University.
