During that time, Farrar played for esteemed coach Ed Reed, who never endured a losing season in 20 years at Brown’s helm, and the Bears won three consecutive Eastern Championships from 1983 to 1985.

Even then, Reed could see Farrar’s leadership skills clearly.

“My best memory of Erik was when we sent the JV team [for which Farrar was the goaltender] to play against Harvard,” Reed said. “The players, Erik included, shaved their heads for that game. He was very fired-up, took the bull by the horns and helped the team to win.”

When he began at Brown, Farrar led the men’s team to three national top-20 finishes. Between 1994 and 1998, the Bears finished third in the Easterns three times and accumulated an 84-46 record.

Farrar also successfully coached Brown’s women’s squad between 1993 and 1998, garnering a 66-30 overall record. The Bears also earned No. 12 and No. 11 rankings in 1995 and 1996, respectively.

Farrar now hopes that the Crimson can “qualify for Easterns and go far into the tournament.  

“In addition,” he said, “I want to establish within the team a tradition of commitment and excellence to pass on to future generations of Harvard water polo players.  I think that latter process is already well on its way.”

“It’s a great fit for Erik,” Reed said. “He’s a good communicator, and he understand Harvard very well because Brown and Harvard are so similar.”

Farrar wasted no time in preparing the team for its new season, beginning rigorous training as soon as he arrived. His efficiency impressed the Crimson from the start.

“Our team got to school Aug. 25, and we trained hard for three weeks, going six hours a day for most of preseason,” Burmeister said. “Our team is in really good shape, and I feel that Erik really has a plan for each practice, which makes them very effective and efficient.”  

And while some blamed Russell’s strenuous practices for the team’s troubles last season, Farrar has been able to avoid that problem while still training effectively.

“We don’t have as many morning practices as last year,” Dabiri said, “and we actually get some rest before big games. Our swim sets have been harder than last year, but done at better times, which has left a lot of the guys in much better shape.”

Though entering a tough situation, Farrar quickly gained the respect of his players .

“I think he has greatly improved the team,” Garcia said. “He knows the game very well and he pushes us day in and day out.”

While the offense has clicked in the team’s opening games, Garcia hopes the Crimson will also improve its defensive intensity.

“Ultimately, it boils down a firm grasp of the fundamentals and to execution,” Farrar said.  “Having said that, the players at Harvard are very smart people so that gives us many, many options.”

The Crimson opens ECAC Championship play tonight against top-seeded Navy, the same team that dashed the chances of Farrar’s Bears for an NCAA playoff spot in a tightly-contested match 11 years ago.

Farrar expects Harvard to compete strongly in this weekend’s match-ups. “I’d like us to win the whole thing.  Is that possible? Yes.  Is it going to happen?  Who knows?”

—Staff writer Megha Parkeh can be reached at parekh@fas.harvard.edu.