James DeCosemo joined the Aquinas Athletic Department as the head coach of the women's soccer program in the summer of 2022. DeCosemo is the seventh coach in the history of the AQ women's program.
Over his two seasons leading the women's soccer program, DeCosemo has ammassed an incredible record of 38-4-4, winning at a rate of .826.Â
The Saints have reached the NAIA National Tournament Quarterfinals in each of his two seasons on the sidelines, which is the furthest that a women's soccer team has ever gone in the history of the program. Aquinas has earned WHAC regular season titles in each of the last two seasons and won the WHAC Tournament in 2022. Incredibly, the Saints have yet to fall to a WHAC opponent in regulation in either 2022 or 2023.Â
In just two seasons, DeCosemo coached two WHAC Offensive Players of the Year, a WHAC Defensive Player of the Year, eight NAIA All-Americans, 12 All-WHAC First Team selections, four All-WHAC Second Team selections, and three members of the All-WHAC Newcomer Team.
The Saints have also had seven WHAC Offensive Player of the Week and eight WHAC Defensive Player of the Week winners during DeCosemo's tenure. In the classroom, 23 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 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 also coached eight WHAC Players of the Week, with two of those players earning NAIA National Player of the Week awards.Â
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.Â
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 son named Oliver.
