Princeton University Athletics
Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
Nicolao Steps Down As Princeton Water Polo Head Coach For U.S. Naval Academy
January 03, 2018 | Men's Water Polo, Women's Water Polo
Luis Nicolao, who took the Princeton men's and women's water polo teams to the NCAA tournament a combined seven times and who won better than 800 games between the two, will be leaving his position at Princeton to become the head coach at his alma mater, the United States Naval Academy.
"I've been honored to have coached at an amazing school for the past 20 years," said Nicolao. "I can't thank enough the young men and women who have come through our programs for all the sacrifices and laughs. Navy is the only school I would have left Princeton for, and the chance to go back was something I could not say no to. Thank you to all of our alumni and friends for all of the support through the years."
Nicolao has spent 20 years at Princeton as the head coach of both the men's and women's programs. During that time, Nicolao posted a combined 844-312 (.730) record, going 402-163 (.712) with the men and 442-149 (.748) with the women.
"Luis has done a phenomenal job here with both our men's and women's programs," said Ford Family Director of Athletics Mollie Marcoux Samaan. "We can't thank him enough for his 20 years of dedication to PRINCETON Water Polo. In addition to all of his success through the years, he's been an invaluable member of our department, one who always made us laugh and made Princeton an even better place to be every day. We will miss him and we wish him the best at Navy."
The Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Men's National Coach of the Year in 2004, Nicolao also has five Eastern Coach of the Year Awards split between the men and the women (Men: 2004, 2009, 2011; Women: 2001, 2007). Additionally, he has garnered Southern Coach of the Year honors on seven occasions (Men: 2001, 2003, 2008; Women: 2001, 2005, 2006, 2013).
Over the years, the men have won nine Southern titles (1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015), four Eastern crowns (2004, 2009, 2011, 2015), and made four NCAA tournament appearances (2004, 2009, 2011, 2015). In that same time span, the women have nine Southern titles to their credit (1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014), four Eastern crowns (2000, 2012, 2013, 2015), and three NCAA berths (2012, 2013, 2015).
A national search for his successor will begin immediately.
"I've been honored to have coached at an amazing school for the past 20 years," said Nicolao. "I can't thank enough the young men and women who have come through our programs for all the sacrifices and laughs. Navy is the only school I would have left Princeton for, and the chance to go back was something I could not say no to. Thank you to all of our alumni and friends for all of the support through the years."
Nicolao has spent 20 years at Princeton as the head coach of both the men's and women's programs. During that time, Nicolao posted a combined 844-312 (.730) record, going 402-163 (.712) with the men and 442-149 (.748) with the women.
"Luis has done a phenomenal job here with both our men's and women's programs," said Ford Family Director of Athletics Mollie Marcoux Samaan. "We can't thank him enough for his 20 years of dedication to PRINCETON Water Polo. In addition to all of his success through the years, he's been an invaluable member of our department, one who always made us laugh and made Princeton an even better place to be every day. We will miss him and we wish him the best at Navy."
The Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Men's National Coach of the Year in 2004, Nicolao also has five Eastern Coach of the Year Awards split between the men and the women (Men: 2004, 2009, 2011; Women: 2001, 2007). Additionally, he has garnered Southern Coach of the Year honors on seven occasions (Men: 2001, 2003, 2008; Women: 2001, 2005, 2006, 2013).
Over the years, the men have won nine Southern titles (1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015), four Eastern crowns (2004, 2009, 2011, 2015), and made four NCAA tournament appearances (2004, 2009, 2011, 2015). In that same time span, the women have nine Southern titles to their credit (1999, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014), four Eastern crowns (2000, 2012, 2013, 2015), and three NCAA berths (2012, 2013, 2015).
A national search for his successor will begin immediately.
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