Robert Bullion came to Salem in 2011 and has filled various roles in aquatics for the Tigers during that time. His father, Keith Bullion, made a tremendous impact as an athletic director, coach, and biology professor at Salem, including launching the water polo programs here in the Valley of Learning. The winningest men’s water polo coach in program history with more than 120 career victories, Bullion has helped transform Salem into one of the top Division II water polo programs in the nation.
Under his leadership, Salem captured the 2024 WWPA Championship and earned the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance, while also winning the 2022 CWPA Division II Championship. His teams have earned national rankings, victories over multiple Division I opponents, and consistent success both in competition and in the classroom. Bullion has coached numerous All-Americans, conference award winners, and Olympians during his tenure, while Salem student-athletes have also earned more than 100 ACWPC All-Academic honors.
On the swimming side of things, Bullion has played a big role within the program for many years. During previous head coaching tenures, Bullion served as resource and assistant coach during Salem's time competing in the Bluegrass Mountain Conference and then the Mountain East Conference for swimming. The Tigers have improved their performances year after year in the Mountain East Conference Championships, both as a team and with improved individual performacnes under Bullion's leadership.
Bullion has received numerous coaching honors throughout his career, including 2022 and 2024 ACWPC Division II Coach of the Year, 2024 WWPA Coach of the Year, and three CWPA Division II Coach of the Year awards.
A former collegiate water polo student-athlete at Gannon University, Bullion earned his bachelor’s degree in business management before completing his master’s degree in international business at Salem University in 2014.
College(s) Attended:
Gannon University
Salem University
Degree(s) Completed:
Bachelor’s Degree (Business Management) – Gannon University
Master’s Degree (International Business) – Salem University – 2014
Experience:
2011 – Present – Salem University – Head Men’s Water Polo Coach
2013 – Present – Salem University – Aquatics Director
2019 – Present – Salem University – Assistant Women’s Water Polo Coach
2025 – Present – Salem University – Head Men’s Swimming Coach
2011 – 2013 – Salem University – Head Women’s Water Polo Coach
2016 – 2017 – Salem University – Head Men’s and Women’s Swimming Coach
Hometown:
Buffalo, New York
