Melissa D’Amico has been named the ninth head coach of the Boston University women’s basketball team, director of athletics Drew Marrochello announced on Friday.
D’Amico arrives to Boston after serving as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Wake Forest for the previous three seasons. This past year, D’Amico was key in guiding the Demon Deacons to their second NCAA Tournament appearance, and first since the 1987-88 campaign. Prior to Wake Forest, D’Amico spent a combined five years as an assistant at Yale and Colgate.
“Melissa emerged as a perfect candidate to continue the great momentum that our women’s basketball program has built in recent years,” said Marrochello. “Her experience in the ACC, Patriot League and Ivy League put her in a great position to be our head coach. As we learned more about her, we quickly realized that she would be a great fit as she is devoted to providing a holistic student-athlete experience and has the passion to see each young woman succeed on and off the court. We are thrilled to welcome her to the BU family.”
Specializing in working with post players, D’Amico aided Ivana Raca to be named to the All-ACC First Team, becoming just the fourth student-athlete in Wake Forest history to earn All-ACC First Team honors. Raca was selected in last week’s WNBA Draft.
Wake Forest boasted one of the toughest interiors in the ACC with D’Amico, as it ranked second in the nation in rebounding margin (+14.5) while also being ranked in the top-20 in both total rebounds per game (44.5) and defensive rebounds per game (30.4) entering ACC competition during the 2019-20 season. On the recruiting front, D’Amico coordinated and delegated all facts of recruiting and was integral in signing four student-athletes ranked within the top-50 nationally.
“I’m so honored and humbled to have the opportunity to coach at a world-class institution like Boston University,” said D’Amico. “I’m thrilled to be a part of the Terrier family and join such a diverse and energetic community.
“The support and guidance I’ve felt throughout this process has been unmatched and every person I have met over the last few weeks has made me fall even deeper in love with BU and what it represents. I cannot wait to get started with this amazing group of young women and continue to build on their successes on and off the court.”
Prior to her time in Winston-Salem, D’Amico filled the same role at Yale for three years. During the 2017-18 season, D’Amico assisted the Bulldogs to their best win total in program history (19) and capture the WBI Championship. Honing in top student-athletes, D’Amico recruited the Texas Large Private School Player of the Year as well as the 2018 Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year to New Haven.
D’Amico entered the coaching ranks at fellow Patriot League institution Colgate in 2013 following a five-year international professional playing career. She helped the Raiders to their highest win total in a decade during the 2014-15 term and host their first Patriot League Tournament game in 11 seasons.
Valuing high-caliber athletics and academics, the Manorville, N.Y. native enjoyed a four-year career at Notre Dame playing under Naismith Hall of Fame coach Muffet McGraw. Starting in 58 of 119 games, the Fighting Irish went 90-39, ranked as high a fourth in the nation, and made an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance. D’Amico graduated from Notre Dame in 2008 with a degree in business.
Recognized by the WBCA as one of the top assistant coaches in the country, D’Amico has been named to the NEXTUP coaches program as well as the Thirty Under 30 list.
Off the court, D’Amico is passionate about service and is the founder and president of Play Bold, a non-profit dedicated to empowering communities by mobilizing people and resources on international missions to the most disadvantaged areas of the world.
D’Amico will be welcomed to the BU community with a virtual press conference on Monday, April 26 at 1 p.m. The link to watch can be found here.
Photo Courtesy BU Athletics
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