Bio

Johnston brings a diverse and successful background in water polo as both a player and coach across the high school, collegiate, and club levels.

A Southern California native, Johnston attended Citrus College before continuing studies at the University of Arizona and Cal Poly Pomona, earning a degree in Kinesiology in 2022. While at Citrus, Johnston competed in water polo during the 2008–09 seasons, earning Second Team All-Conference honors in 2009.

Johnston began a lengthy coaching career at the high school level, most notably at San Dimas High School from 2016 to 2026. During that time, he served as an assistant coach for the boys program and head coach of the girls program, leading the team to back-to-back CIF championships in 2025 and 2026. Additionally, Johnston contributed as an assistant coach at Damien High School from 2022 to 2025, helping guide the program to a CIF championship in 2022 and a CIF finalist finish in 2025.

At the collegiate level, Jesse served as an assistant coach at the University of La Verne from 2022 to 2025, contributing to the development of student-athletes both in and out of the pool.

Johnston has also made a significant impact in the club scene with Route 66 Aquatics from 2021 to 2026. During that time, he led multiple age groups, including the 18U boys in 2023, 16U boys in 2024, and 14U boys in 2025 and 2026. The program achieved national success under his leadership, highlighted by a silver medal finish at the 2025 Junior Olympics.