Vladimir Mickic joined UC Santa Barbara as the Women’s Water Polo program's first-ever Director of Analytics and Assistant Coach in September of 2026, bringing a strong background in data science and collegiate water polo experience as both a player and coach.
Mickic comes to Santa Barbara from Mercyhurst University in Pennsylvania, where he served as an assistant coach for the Lakers' Men's Water Polo team starting in 2024. Utilizing a data-driven approach to player development, game plans, and practice design, he helped guide the team to more wins in his first season than in their previous two seasons combined. He also leveraged his international background to recruit top student-athletes to the program, all while completing his Master’s in Data Science at Mercyhurst.
Prior to his coaching career, Mickic accumulated five years of NCAA water polo playing experience as a student-athlete at St. Francis University and Gannon University. Originating from Serbia, he enjoyed an accomplished youth career in both Serbia and Hungary, earning call-ups to both countries' youth national teams and winning multiple cup competitions across several European club teams.
