Coach Keith joined CMAC as the lead 10 & under coach in December 2017, and has been serving as the team's head coach since August 2018. An ASCA Level 4 Certified coach, Keith has 20+ years of coaching experience from the youngest age groupers to successful NCAA college athletes. 

Coach Keith attained his BA from UC Irvine in 2006 and his Masters degree in counseling from Cal State Long Beach in 2010. Keith lives in Huntington Beach with his wife, Aleah, an LCSW. They are proud parents to Kamilah (10) and Zain (7) who both swim at CMAC. Coach Keith also spent 10 years as the lead assistant coach at OCC just across the street as a member of Orange Coast College’s aquatics staff, and also leads the Costa Mesa High School swim programs alongside his long time friend and (CMAC/Edison) colleague, Diggy Riley, where the Mustangs won the first CIF swimming title in school history in 2023 and repeated as champions in 2024.

Keith spent much of his formative coaching years at the helm of Edison High School, leading the Chargers to a 120-4 dual meet record from 2005-2013, along with the program’s first CIF Championship in 2009. At the same time, he worked alongside Anthony Iacopetti coaching the perennial state champion OCC Pirates. The team focus and camaraderie that is so prevalent in high school and college swimming is something he works to weave into the culture at CMAC.  

Keith went on to hold other head coaching positions in Northern California 2013-2016 for the Sonoma Sea Dragons and Sonoma Valley High School before returning to Southern CA where he spent time assisting at Lakewood Aquatics and Whittier College. Now setting a strong foundation for the future at CMAC, the team is beginning to show signs of developing into a power program in one of the best areas for aquatics in the country. CMAC now places in the top 5 teams in regional championship events and is sending swimmers to Sectionals, Futures, and Junior Nationals, and is home to 300+ swimmers.

John comes to CMAC with 40 years of aquatics experience as a competitor and coach. 

Early Years:

Club Swimming - Pico Rivera Swim Team 9 years

High School - 3 years Varsity Water Polo & Swimming, 2 year Varsity Track & Field

College - 4-year Starter Water Polo; 2 -Seasons Swimming

Biggest Biggest Sports Achievements:

Athlete-of-the-Year High School ( Varsity letters in Water Polo, Swimming and Track & Field eight times)

NCAA Division II Player-of-the-Year - Water Polo

D-II National 100 Fr cut

Coaching Experience:

Cal State LA - Assistant Coach Mens Water Polo & Womens swimming 1981 - 1982

Golden West Swim Club - Assistant Coach - Masters group 1993 - 1996

Long Beach Shore Aquatics - Assistant Coach & Head Coach - Multiple Levels 1996 - 1997

Seal Beach Swim Club - Lead Assistant Coach 1997 - 2001

Lakewood Aquatics - Assistant Swim Coach - Senior Group 2014 - 2016

Coastal Machine Aquatics Club 2021 - Present

Being a long-time athlete in multiple sports, as well as pursuing a degree in the health field. Training and competing has always been a big part of his life. "It's a lifestyle" Coach John developed a fondness for coaching competitive swimming while his daughters swam competitively in the Orange County area. Coach John currently lives in Huntington Beach. He is thrilled to be at CMAC coaching alongside talented coaches and coaching, deveoping and mentoring CMAC swimmers.

Coach Annie is returning to her coaching roots as CMAC's next Head Age Group Coach.

This coach is awesome!

This coach is awesome!

This coach is awesome!

Communications Coordinator

This coach is awesome!

This coach is awesome!

Coach Jeena is a former competitive swimmer with 15 years in the sport, a current US Masters swimmer, and coached and taught swimming lessons in the area in various capacities throughout the years. After a brief hiatus, she is excited to be back on the pool deck fostering a love of the water and competition amongst her swimmers,

This coach is awesome!

This coach is awesome!

This coach is awesome!

Coach De La Jara is a long term resident of Costa Mesa and has strong ties to both Costa Mesa HS and Estancia HS.

Coach De La Jara played water polo and swam for Estancia High School in Costa Mesa. After high school, he enrolled at Orange Coast College in which he competed in water polo and swimming for the Pirates. The year after, he transferred to Golden West College in which he also competed in water polo and swimming for the Rustlers.

After Junior College, Coach De La Jara transferred to Cal State Long Beach and played at Long Beach for a short time. Due to injury he took to coaching. His coaching career began:

• 1995-1997 Estancia HS Asst Coach
• 1997-1999 UCI Womens Club Water Polo Head Coach
• 2000 to 2010 Masters Organizer and Enthusiast
• 2007 USA WATERPOLO REFERRE
• 2011 YMCA Splashball COACH YMCA Newport Beach
• 2011-2014 FINA Referee
• 2012 Costa Mesa Aquatics Club Director and Splashball Coach
• 2013 Holiday Camp Referee
• 2014 Costa Mesa High School Foundation, Director

Coach De La Jara's goal for CMAC is to grow a strong program based in athletic, personal and career success for all members. Coach De La Jara is married and has 3 kids that participate in CMACs age group swim and Water Polo programs. Coach De La Jara is also a veteran Newport Beach Lifeguard with over 20+ years, saving lifes and educating kids and beachgowers about Beach Safety. He enjoys bodysurfing, surfing, stand up paddling, swimming, water polo and spending time with friends and family.