Coaches

James DeCosemo

James DeCosemo enters his second season as head coach of the women's soccer program for the 2023 season. DeCosemo is the seventh head coach in the history of the program.


In his first season, the Saints matched their team record of 21 wins in a single season with an impressive 21-3-1 overall record. AQ went undefeated, 14-0, in all conference competitions to win the WHAC Regular Season and WHAC Tournament titles for a second straight season.


The Saints made their fifth NAIA National Tournament appearance in 2022 and advanced to the quarterfinals — the furthest the program has ever achieved.


In one season, DeCosemo coached the WHAC Offensive Player of the Year, four NAIA All-Americans, six All-WHAC First Team selections, two All-WHAC Second Team selections and a member of the All-WHAC Newcomer Team.


The Saints have also had three WHAC Offensive Player of the Week and four WHAC Defensive Player of the Week winners during DeCosemo's tenure. In the classroom, 12 Saints have earned WHAC All-Academic Team status.


DeCosemo was named the 2022 WHAC Coach of the Year.


Prior to taking over the women's soccer program, DeCosemo had been the assistant coach for the men's soccer team from 2019-21. In his time with the men's program, the team totaled a 22-16-10 record and featured a 10-3 mark in the 2020-21 campaign.


Since 2019, DeCosemo has shown a proven track record of developing young talent. The Aquinas men's soccer team has had four First Team All-WHAC selections under DeCosemo's direction, along with eight Second Team All-WHAC honorees and seven players announced on WHAC All-Newcomer teams. He has also coached eight WHAC Players of the Week, with two of those players earning NAIA National Player of the Week awards.


In addition to DeCosemo's work with athletes on the field, the men's soccer team has seen significant growth as students since 2019. Over the past three seasons, the men's soccer program has boasted 26 WHAC All-Academic honorees. The 26 All-Academic athletes break down to four in 2019, nine in 2020, and 13 in 2021, highlighting significant year-over-year growth.


Coupled with his coaching duties at Aquinas, DeCosemo works as the Director of Coaching for the Nationals Soccer Club and is a coach for the club's U17 and U19 teams. He has obtained his USSF B license and regularly works with national and professional scouts, develops the coaching curriculum for all of the coaches, and oversees the development of 450 athletes within the program. DeCosemo's women's soccer teams at Nationals Soccer Club have seen plenty of success as well, boasting several trips to national championships over the past four years.


Attending college at Northwood University, DeCosemo graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration. He was a four-year starter at Northwood University from 2012-2016, while also serving as team captain for three years. DeCosemo earned First Team All-GLIAC and First Team All-Region honors, while helping the Timberwolves advance to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen during his senior season.


He also played for Lansing United, Grand Rapids FC, Flint City Bucks and Lansing City.


James and his wife Allison have a young son named Oliver.