ANNAPOLIS, Md. — United States Naval Academy water polo head coach Luis Nicolao announced the hiring of former Naval Academy student-athlete Jack Finch as the newest assistant coach of the Navy water polo program. A member of the USNA Class of 2015, Finch was a four-year letterwinner for the Midshipmen water polo team.
“I am thrilled to be returning to the Naval Academy water polo family,” said Finch.
“As an alum, this institution holds a special place in my heart, and I am honored to have the opportunity to give back to the team that gave me so much. I would like to extend a special thank you to head coach Luis Nicolao and athletic director Chet Gladchuk for their support and guidance in making this opportunity a reality. I look forward to working alongside them and the rest of the staff to help our student-athletes achieve their full potential both in and out of the pool.”
Finch was a member of the Navy water polo team from 2011 through 2014, playing in 97 games. The attacker finished his playing career with 122 total points on 31 goals with 91 assists. When he graduated, he ranked ninth on the Navy career assists list. As a junior, Finch registered 45 helpers, which was the sixth-best single-season performance in program history. As player, he helped lead the Midshipmen to an 85-40 (.680) record.
“I am excited to have Jack join our staff,” Nicolao stated. “He brings great enthusiasm and a wealth of knowledge. As a Naval Academy graduate, he knows how to be successful in the pool, while also managing the rigors of Academy life. Jack will be a tremendous asset to our program.”
From May of 2015 through August of 2016, Finch gained valuable coaching experience working with the Navy Aquatics Water Polo Club while waiting to report to the fleet. He returned to direct the Navy Aquatics Club in 2018, serving as the team’s coach while he was working in Washington, D.C.
Finch was active duty in the United States Navy, gaining extensive leadership experience within the office of Naval Intelligence where he advised senior Defense Department officials on countering emerging cyber threats.
During his tenure in the Navy, Finch ranked in the top five percent of Naval Intelligence Officers at command and was appointed to POTUS-level Crisis Response Team (1 out of 20) to provide 24/7/365 support to forward deployed operations.
Finch returns to the Academy after spending three years as a senior consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton (July 2020 – June 2021) before assuming the same position with Deloitte Consulting LLP (June 2021 – March 2023).
Finch graduated from the Naval Academy in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in economics.
Release courtesy United States Naval Academy Athletics Communications
