John lives with his wife, Debbie, in Santa Maria.
He has one daughter, Megan, and a son, Eric.

If anybody can fill the shoes (or swimming trunks) of Terry Bowen, it’s John Marsh. The longtime Central Coast resident has been named the new head coach of Men’s Water Polo and Men and Women’s Swimming/Diving at Cuesta. Bowen, who won countless awards and championships, retired after he served for more than 25 years in that position.

Marsh is not a stranger to Cuesta College Athletics. In 2002, his first year as assistant coach, the Cuesta men’s swimming and diving team won its thirteenth conference crown and also finished second at the State Championship Meet for the third time. The men also placed second in 1995 and 2001 and were third in both 1993 and 1998. The women have won a total of 17 conference titles and have ranked second and third at the State Championships.

Marsh has an extensive coaching career, which began with four years at Righetti High in Santa Maria as an assistant water polo coach and head swimming coach. He then moved over to Santa Maria High as the head water polo and swimming coach and led that program to a 1991 CIF Title in water polo. After four years at Santa Maria, he left to spend more time in the farming and produce business, while establishing himself as one of the premier referees on the Central Coast. In 2001, the coaching bug again got a hold of John and he took over the Cal Poly SLO men and women’s water polo club teams. In his three seasons with the Mustangs, he led both teams to two National Collegiate Club Titles. After his first year at Cal Poly SLO, John also joined Terry Bowen’s staff as his top assistant in both water polo and swimming.

John began his academic career at Cuesta College and was a two-time All American in water polo. His 178 career goals in 1980-81 still rank third all time for the Cougars. After Cuesta, John transferred to UCLA and helped lead the Bruins to third place at the 1982 National Championships. He missed the 1983 season due to injury and moved back to the Central Coast to work in farming and begin his coaching career. John completed his Bachelor’s Degree at Cal Poly SLO and is set to complete his Master’s in Kinesiology in June 2004.