Boston University Hires James Sica as New Head Coach

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Photo Courtesy: Boston University

Boston University Hires James Sica as New Head Coach

James Sica has been hired as the new head coach of Boston University, switching sides of the city after six successful years at MIT.

Sica joined the MIT staff in 2017, first as an assistant coach than the last two seasons as an associate head coach, including a semester as acting head coach. The Engineers sere 12-for-12 in NEWMAC titles for the men and women during his time there and never finished outside the top 10 at the NCAA Division III championships. MIT was fifth in the men’s standings at NCAAs this year and eighth in the women’s. They won four NCAA titles in 2022, when Sica served as the acting head coach. He was named the NEWMAC Men’s Swimming & Diving Coach of the Year that season.

“It is a tremendous honor to be named the next head coach for swimming & diving at Boston University,” Sica said in a university statement. “Throughout the entire search process it was clear that BU Athletics emphasizes excellence in all aspects of the student-athlete experience. I am excited to contribute to the swim & dive program’s future success while creating a student-athlete experience that enriches the world-class academic opportunities that Boston University has to offer. “I want to thank Drew Marrochello and the entire search committee for trusting me to step in and add to the legacy of BU Swimming & Diving. I cannot wait to get to work with the amazing young adults who make this program and the BU community so special.”

Sica replaces Bill Smyth, who retired in February after 18 years as the head coach of the Terriers.

A 2012 graduate of Ithaca College, Sica’s coaching career started at his alma mater. He was a volunteer assistant for Harvard’s women’s team in 2014-15 and an assistant coach at Carnegie Mellon from 2-15-17. He also coached at Cambridge Masters Swim Club.

“We are excited to welcome James to the BU Athletics family,” BU athletic director Drew Marrochello said. “His coaching career is filled with stops at prestigious institutions, and it’s clear he’s driven to develop true scholar-athletes. He has enjoyed a strong run during his tenure at MIT and as we got to learn more about him and his coaching philosophy, it’s apparent that one of his top strengths is his ability to connect with and mentor athletes. We look forward to James guiding a new era for our swimming & diving programs.”

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