Men's Rowing | September 8, 2021

PHILADELPHIA - Bill Manning, a nationally-respected coach who has worked with elite rowers at the collegiate and Olympic levels, has been named associate head coach at La Salle, head rowing coach Jeff Garbutt announced on Wednesday.

"The addition of Bill to our staff shows the level of commitment the University is making in returning the rowing program to contenders at Dad Vails, Atlantic 10 Championships, and beyond," Garbutt said. "Having coached at two perennial top 10 programs (Harvard, Princeton) and with the United States National Team, Bill brings a level of experience and knowledge that is second to none. I am thrilled to be able to work with Bill, develop the new La Salle Rowing culture, and learn from his incredible experiences in the sport."

Prior to his arrival in Philadelphia, Manning spent eight seasons at Princeton University working with the women (2019-21) and the men (2013-19). This past year, the Tigers finished 12th at NCAA Women's Rowing Championships, and won four gold medals at the Dad Vail Regatta. 

Working with the Princeton lightweight men, Manning was an integral part of consecutive silver medals at IRA National Championships. He also helped the team to four Harvard/Yale/Princeton Regatta championships, Eastern Sprints titles in 2016 and 2018, and three-straight medals at IRA's with the LM4- and LM4+, including a national title in 2015.

"I'm thrilled joining Coach Garbutt and the La Salle community," Manning said. "It is a dream come true to coach on the iconic Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.  La Salle is a small university with big rowing ambitions; the University, Athletic Department, and others wish to recreate the historical success La Salle previously enjoyed and are committed to making it possible for the athletes to do so.  This will be incredibly fun."

Before his time at Princeton, Manning spent 15 years at Harvard and served as associate head coach at Harvard under Harry Parker from 2011-13. In both 2012 and 2013, Harvard won the Rowe Cup at the Eastern Sprints and swept Yale. The first varsity won the Eastern Sprints and Ivy League Championship in 2013.

Additionally, the team earned medals at the IRA Championships (bronze in 2012, silver in 2013). At the Henley Royal Regatta, Harvard's crews won the Prince Albert Cup (2011), Ladies' Challenge Plate (2012) and Visitor's Challenge Cup (2013).

As freshman coach from 1998-2011, Manning's crews were some of the best in the country and the world. In both 2001 and 2002. Manning's group won the Temple Challenge Cup at Henley. Manning earned Eastern Sprints medals in twelve of his thirteen years, including seven victories.

The freshmen also raced at the IRAs from 2003-11, winning three silvers and three bronzes. Manning's first freshman boat did not lose a dual race in his final five seasons, defeating 35 straight opponents between 2007-11. The freshmen also defeated Yale in The Race in eleven of Manning's thirteen years.

Additionally, in 2004, he took Harvard to the Lucerne World Cup where they raced as USA-2, defeated the British and French Olympic crews, and made the A Final.

Internationally, Manning has worked with the United States Rowing National Team since 1996. Manning served as an assistant coach with the U.S. Junior National Team at five junior world championships between 1997 and 2002 and coached the U.S. men's pair to Olympic qualification at the 2003 world championships. At the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, he worked with the pair, double and lightweight double. He directed the U.S. U-23 Men's Sculling program in 2006 and 2007. 

More recently, he coached the U23 LM4x to fourth at the World Championships in 2019. The year prior, he was the USA's Head Coach at the Youth Olympic Games with responsibility for the M1x and W2-. He also coached the U-19 women's squad, winning two bronze medals at the World Championships. In 2015, he led the LM2- to a fifth-place finish at Senior Worlds, the best performance by the US in over a decade. That same summer, his LM4- won silver, his M2- took bronze, and he co-coached the bronze medal-winning M8+ at the Pan American Games.

Manning earned an M. Ed. from Harvard and a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross. 

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING...
"This is a great move in many ways, and I am really happy for Bill. He brings a ton of experience and a record of success at every level. No doubt he will have a positive impact at La Salle, and the combination of Jeff Garbutt and Bill Manning makes a terrific staff."

- Dave O'Neill, Head Rowing Coach, University of Texas, 2021 NCAA Women's Rowing Champions

"I have known Bill for nearly a decade and I have worked with him in many different capacities. He has served as a mentor and coach to me when I was a recently graduated collegiate rower, aspiring elite rower, an Olympic rower, and as a coach. Bill is one of the country's top technical coaches and recruiters. He is humble and willing to learn, but confident with his decades of experience in the sport. Above all, Bill's passion for rowing and helping athletes comes through in everything he does. He will be a huge asset to the La Salle boathouse."

- Lauren Schmetterling, 2016 Olympic Gold Medalist, Three-Time World Championship Gold Medalist, United States Women's Rowing National Team

"I am delighted to have Bill Manning back coaching on the men's side of the rowing equation. I know very well that in short order, La Salle will rise up through the ranks. We look forward to his energy and professionalism being added to men's college rowing."

- Gary Caldwell, Commissioner, Intercollegiate Rowing Association