Rob Weber was named head coach of the RMU rowing program August 25, 2022, and the 2023-24 season marks his second at the helm for the Colonials.
"We're incredibly proud to be able to bring a coach of Rob Weber's caliber to Robert Morris University," said RMU Vice President and Director of Athletics Chris 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).
During his stint with USRowing, Weber was in charge of five crews that claimed medals at both the Senior and Under 23 World Rowing Championships. In 2018, the 4+ earned gold in Poznan, Poland, which capped a run of five medals. In 2013 at the World Rowing Championships in Chungju, Korea, the 4- earned gold, which was matched two years later in Aiguebelette-le-Lac, France. In 2014 in Amsterdam of the Netherlands, the 4- claimed silver, which occurred two years later in 2016 in Rotterdam of the Netherlands.
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).
