DUDLEY, Mass. – Nichols College Director of Athletics
Charlie Robert has announced the hiring of Nick Puccio as head
baseball coach.
Puccio spent the last three seasons at Wheaton (MA) College and
was a key member of the coaching staff which guided the team to
three NCAA Tournament appearances – including the College
World Series National Championship game in 2012. During his time in
Norton, Puccio coached 13 student-athletes who earned All-New
England Honors, another 13 who garnered All-New England Women's and
Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) honors, and one All-America
selection.
"I'm ecstatic to have the opportunity to be the head baseball
coach at Nichols College," said Puccio, who will relocate to Dudley
later this summer. "I am very grateful for the opportunity that
Charlie Robert has given me. I see nothing but great things in the
future of the program."
Puccio - the lead hitting coach as well as the third base coach
for longtime Wheaton head coach Eric Podbelski – saw the
Lyons receive the NEWMAC Team Sportsmanship Award on two occasions.
Responsible for recruiting the northeast region, Puccio also
assisted Podbelski with all day-to-day operations of the program.
Puccio is currently the hitting coach and camp director for the
Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League.
"Working for Eric Podbelski has been one of the greatest
experiences in my coaching career," explained Puccio. "He is one of
the best, if not the best, baseball coach I have been around. I
have learned so much from him as far as how to maintain a roster
and how to go about your job every single day. I couldn't have
asked for a better mentor."
Puccio began his collegiate coaching career in 2008 at Dean
College, where he was the top assistant coach and recruiting
coordinator for two years. He helped the Bulldogs win a
school-record 27 games in 2009 and saw four student-athletes
selected to the all-region team. Puccio returned to his alma mater,
Fitchburg State, in 2010 and spent one year as an assistant coach
and camp coordinator with the Falcons before he moved on to work as
an assistant coach at Southeastern Iowa Community College in
2011.
While in Iowa, Puccio helped the Blackhawks win a program-record
44 games and post the seventh-highest winning pct. in the country
(44-16; 733). Puccio – who was also the recruiting
coordinator and community advisor – saw nine student-athletes
earn All-Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) honors,
two student-athletes garner All-America accolades, and two selected
in the Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft. The Blackhawks climbed as
high as No. 14 in the national rankings during the season.
"I am very excited to have Nick at the helm of our baseball
program," said Robert. "He is well-known and respected throughout
the New England baseball community. His passion for the game, along
with his high energy, is a great fit for Nichols College, the
athletics department and the baseball program."
Puccio takes over a Bison team which won just five games in 2013
and missed the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) playoffs. "It's
no secret that we won with pitching and defense at Wheaton, as well
as a very systematic offense," said Puccio. "I plan on bringing all
three with me to Nichols. We will go after guys who can defend,
guys that can throw strikes and be front line arms, and guys who
will bring a team mentality. Everyone needs to be pulling the ship
in the same direction, and we are going to recruit student-athletes
that want to be part of a championship program."
Puccio received his associate of arts in education from Dean
College in 2007 and his bachelor of science in interdisciplinary
studies from Fitchburg State in 2010. He is currently working
towards a Master's degree in sports management at American Public
University.