Anthony DiMichele - Football Coach - James Madison University Athletics

Anthony DiMichele

Title:
Safeties/Recruiting Coordinator
Phone:
540-568-6517
Physical Address:
Plecker APC 224 (220 Champions Dr.) / MSC 2201

Anthony DiMichele is in his second season with the James Madison football program in 2025, as he serves as safeties coach and the recruiting coordinator.

In his first season in Harrisonburg, he was part of a defense that ranked top 30 nationally in 14 different areas, which was highlighted by leading the FBS in turnover margin (1.54). JMU ranked 21st in scoring defense (20.5) and 23rd in total defense (321.8), leading the Sun Belt in both categories.

JMU also ranked third around the country in takeaways (29), sixth in fumble recoveries (12), seventh in both interceptions (17) and pass efficiency defense (111.48), 12th on third-down defense (32.3%), 18th in tackles for loss (7.1), 23rd in first-down defense (17.46) and 26th against the run (115.4). The Dukes paced the SBC in 12 of those categories.

JMU’s safeties room was led by Second Team All-Sun Belt selection Jacob Thomas, who was second on the team in tackles while adding 8.0 TFL, three interceptions and three breakups. Fellow safety Chris Shearin was fourth for JMU in tackles while adding 2.5 TFL, one interception, four breakups, two fumble recoveries and a defensive PAT.

DiMichele joined the Dukes after spending the previous two seasons on Bob Chesney’s staff at his alma mater of Holy Cross, holding the same roles in 2022 and 2023.

He helped Holy Cross to a pair of Patriot League championships and a berth in the 2022 FCS playoffs, a season in which the team went 11-0 during the regular season for the third time ever and finished with a program-best 12-1 overall record after reaching the quarterfinals for the first time in over 30 years.

Holy Cross finished the 2022 campaign with a #6 ranking as a result of numerous marquee wins, including a hail-mary victory against FBS foe Buffalo and an overtime win over ranked Fordham. Holy Cross also earned its first win versus Harvard since 2000 and defeated both Harvard and Yale in the same season for the first time.

In 2023, a season in which the Crusaders finished 7-4 and tied atop the Patriot League standings, the defense ranked second in the conference pass defense (192.7) and third in total defense (376.2). In 2022’s historic season, Holy Cross ranked atop the conference in total defense and scoring defense.

DiMichele spent three seasons at Lehigh (2019-21), coaching the Mountain Hawks’ running backs while serving as special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator. During the 2021 season, Lehigh led all of NCAA Division I in blocked punts and ranked fifth nationally in kickoff coverage.

He previously spent two seasons on the Holy Cross staff as running backs coach on Chesney’s initial staff in 2018 and secondary coach in 2017.

DiMichele joined the Crusaders the first time after coaching at New Haven for two seasons as secondary coach (2015-16). He helped lead the Chargers to a 13-5 record in Northeast-10 Conference play during that time, with the team finishing second in the league in 2015 and third in 2016.

Prior to his time at New Haven, DiMichele was an assistant coach at Sto-Rox High School in McKees Rocks, Pa., for three seasons.

A 2011 graduate of Holy Cross, DiMichele was a three-year starter and four-year letterwinner in the secondary for the Crusaders. A two-time All-Patriot League selection, he also earned Third Team All-America honors from the Sports Network in 2009. DiMichele finished his career with 237 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, four interceptions and 20 pass breakups.

Following his graduation, DiMichele spent one season playing overseas for the Seamen Milano in Italy. He also earned a master’s degree in sport management from New Haven in 2016.