Moon Township, Pa. – RMU Vice President & Director of Athletics
Chris King '94 announced Thursday that
Rob Weber has been named head rowing coach.
"We're incredibly proud to be able to bring a coach of
Rob Weber's caliber to Robert Morris University," said King. "Rob has an impressive track record of program building, both at the collegiate and international level, and we're excited to hire a leader that will push our rowers to a new level of excellence. He has a wealth of knowledge, coaching experience and competitive success, not only at the NCAA Division I level, but also internationally at Cambridge University, and as a member of the coaching staff at USRowing. Rob comes to RMU with a great reputation, both as a coach and a teacher of the sport of rowing. We're excited about the future of RMU rowing with Coach Weber as our head coach, and we look forward to seeing our rowing program compete for a top spot in the MAAC under his leadership."
Weber spent the last year as an assistant coach at Syracuse, where he assisted in all facets of the program, including running daily water and land training sessions and recruiting. He primarily served as the lead recruiter in the United Kingdom. In addition, Weber tutored both the Varsity 4+ and Second Varsity 4+ for the Orange throughout the season. The Syracuse Varsity 4 finished third at the 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championships and 14th at the 2022 NCAA Championships.
"I couldn't be more excited to lead the RMU Rowing program," Weber said. "I'm grateful to
Chris King for giving me the opportunity and the department staff for making me feel very welcome during the interview process. It was clear to me that the department is investing in the program financially and with a level of interest in seeing it succeed. RMU's goals for the rowing team align very well with mine. We want to build a championship caliber NCAA Division I rowing program, and I can't wait to get started."
Prior to his stint at Syracuse, Weber spent three years at Cambridge University, spending two seasons (2018-20) as the Chief Coach of Women and Lightweight Men before a year as the Chief Women's Coach (2020-21). While at Cambridge, Weber administered and implemented squad strategy and coordinated all program logistics and was directly responsible for the leadership, development and training of squads that numbered up to 60 athletes, ranging from novice to international medalists.
At the Cambridge vs. Oxford Boat Race, Cambridge were the winners of the Blue Boat, Reserve Boat and Lightweight Women's races in both 2019 and 2021. At the 2021 British Universities and Colleges Sports Championship Regatta, Weber helped Cambridge claim 11 medals as well as the Victor Ludorum Trophy, which is awarded to the team with the top overall point total. During the same season, Cambridge finished second at the 2021 Henley Women's Regatta.
An NCAA Division I pollster for the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA), Weber also owns coaching experience at Hamilton College (2014-18) and USRowing (2013-18), Franklin & Marshall (2008-14), the Pennsylvania Athletic Club Rowing Association (2010-12), the Savannah College of Art & Design (2006-07) and William & Mary (1997-98 and 2005-06).
Weber, born in East Tennessee and having spent his formative years in Paducah, Ky., is a 1995 graduate of Wabash College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. While at Wabash, Weber spent two seasons competing for the crew club and also competed for the University of Aberdeen in Scotland during a study abroad year. He also owns a Master of Arts degree in history from William & Mary (1998) as well as a Master of Library Science from the University of Kentucky (1999).
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT ROB WEBER
Megan Cooke, Duke Head Coach
"Rob is a perfect hire, and he'll take the Robert Morris program to new heights. He understands the nuances of this sport, which include how to train, how to manage a team and how to take the stroke. He's comfortable running a team and ambitious enough to guide them to victory. He's always found success at every stop, and his easy nature is felt by his student-athletes. RMU is in great hands!"
Tessa Gobbo, Brown Assistant Coach
"What a great hire. Rob is fun to row for, and he knows what it takes to be competitive at the highest level. Where Rob excels is that he is patient and helps his student-athletes improve while encouraging them to grow as members of society. Robert Morris is lucky to have him!"
Wesley Ng, Penn Head Coach
"
Rob Weber has a wealth of experience and success at all levels of women's rowing, and I'm excited for what will happen next at RMU. Rob is a lifelong learner, and his humble and professional approach to the sport has led to being part of World Championship medals, Boat Race victories in the UK, program firsts at the NCAA Division III level and NCAA Division I success. Congratulations to RMU, the student-athletes present and future, and to Rob!"
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