Ilija Duretic is an assistant coach for the Fordham University men's water polo team in Bronx, New York. He has been on the Fordham staff since the 2023 season and has been part of a run that includes three straight MAWPC championships, three consecutive NCAA Championship appearances, and national semifinal berths in 2024 and 2025. His work has also been recognized with major honors, including the 2024 ACWPC Division I Assistant Coach of the Year award, the 2024 USA Water Polo Monte Nitzkowski Award as the Northeast elite men's coach, and the 2025 USA Water Polo Ted Newland Award as the Northeast development men's coach.
Fordham reached a new level in 2024 with Duretic on staff. The Rams advanced to the National Collegiate Championship semifinals, completed an undefeated regular season, and finished 32-1 while winning a fourth straight MAWPC title. Fordham also became the first program outside California to rise to No. 1 in the national top 20 poll. The team produced five All-America selections that year, including Luca Provenziani, who became the program's first First Team All-American. Fordham also set single-season team records for wins, goals, assists, and points.
