University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Hires Gordon Getsinger As New Women’s Rowing Head Coach
7/23/2026 8:42:00 AM | Women's Rowing
STORRS, CT - Gordon Getsinger has been named the next head women's rowing coach at the University of Connecticut, announced by Director of Athletics David Benedict on Thursday. Getsinger will become just the second head coach in the program's 29-year history. His appointment is pending successful completion of the university employee onboarding process.
"We are excited to welcome Gordon Getsinger and his family to UConn Nation," said Benedict. "Gordon has established himself as one of the rising leaders in collegiate rowing through a proven record of competitive success, outstanding recruiting, and student-athlete development. His experience at Dartmouth College, the University of Washington, and with U.S. Rowing has prepared him to lead a program that competes at the highest level. Just as importantly, Gordon is committed to building a culture of accountability, teamwork, and personal growth that reflects the values of UConn Athletics. We are confident his leadership and vision makes him the ideal leader to elevate our women's rowing program to new heights."
A native of Darien, Connecticut, Getsinger returns home to lead the Huskies program, bringing more than a decade of coaching experience at the collegiate, junior, and national team levels. Getsinger comes to UConn from Dartmouth College where he served as the associate head coach of the women's rowing program in 2025-26. He coached two student-athletes to All-Ivy honors while leading the Big Green to a fourth-place finish at the Ivy League Championship, the program's highest placement in the NCAA era.
"The opportunity to lead the rowing program at a university with one of the richest traditions in collegiate athletics is a tremendous honor," stated Getsinger. "I am deeply grateful to UConn Director of Athletics David Benedict for the trust and confidence he has placed in me to serve as the next Head Women's Rowing Coach. I am also incredibly thankful for the opportunities I have had at both the University of Washington working with head Coach Yaz Farooq and at Dartmouth College with head coach John Graves. UConn already has a strong foundation, and I'm excited to work alongside our student-athletes, coaches, alumni, and the entire athletics community as we continue building on that momentum. My wife, three daughters, and I are honored to become part of the Husky community. We look forward to getting to work, and seeing what we can accomplish together."
Prior to his time at Dartmouth, Getsinger was an assistant coach at the University of Washington from 2021 to 2025, serving as the lead recruiter for three of his four years. Across his four seasons, the Huskies finished in the top five nationally each year, earning top three finishes at the Pac-12 Championship from 2022 to 2024. In his final season with the Huskies, Getsinger coached the second varsity eight to a gold medal at the 2025 Big Ten Conference Championship and a silver medal finish at the 2025 National Championships, contributing to Washington's fourth-place finish nationally.
Before joining Washington, Getsinger worked at Saugatuck Rowing Club in Westport, Connecticut, first serving as women's lightweight coach from 2014 to 2015 before being elevated to women's head coach from 2015 to 2018. In 2018, Getsinger was promoted to director of rowing & women's head coach where he served in that role until 2021. During his tenure, he transformed Saugatuck into one of the nation's premier junior rowing programs, leading the women's eight to five consecutive titles at the Head of the Charles and five USRowing Youth National Championships. Getsinger was named Saratoga Junior Coaching Conference, Junior Coach of the Year in 2016 and 2018. Under his leadership, Saugatuck athletes excelled at every level, winning national championships before earning opportunities to represent the United States in international competition.
Getsinger has also shown leadership on the international stage as a member of the U.S. Junior National Team coaching staff. He led the U-23 women's pair to a silver medal finish at the 2021 World Rowing U-23 Championships.
Prior to his time with Saugatuck, Getsinger coached at the Asheville Youth Rowing Association (N.C.) in 2013-14, and for NorCal Crew (Calif.) in 2012-13. He began his coaching career at Saugatuck as the men's novice coach in 2010-11.
Getsinger attended the University of California, Berkely where he won a national championship in the men's freshmen eight in 2005. He went on to earn a silver medal at the IRA national championships in 2008 and finished as the runner up twice at the Pac-10 Championships.
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What They are Saying about Gordon Getsinger –
"I had the pleasure of coaching Gordon when he was a student at the University of California, Berkely. He had a passion for the sport and he was a phenomenal team member. Those qualities transferred directly to his coaching. He has had success in every step of his career. Of equal importance, he is a person of character and integrity. I cannot think of a better choice to lead the UConn women's program to national prominence. Go Huskies!" – Steve Gladstone, Legendary Former Head Coach, 14 IRA Titles in the Varsity Event
"Head coaching opportunities should go to people who can build programs, not just coach boats, and Gordon is exactly that kind of leader. Over the years, I've seen firsthand his ability to teach, recruit, and develop meaningful relationships with student-athletes while maintaining high expectations. Gordon played an important role in our success at Washington, and I have complete confidence that he will lead UConn with integrity, energy, and vision. He has earned this opportunity, and UConn has made an outstanding hire." – Yasmin Farooq – University of Washington Head Women's Rowing Coach
"Gordon is a great choice for leading the next chapter of UConn Rowing. He is someone that will immediately bring an immense knowledge base to the program and quickly chart a path that the athletes can trust. We are very sad to see him go, but we wish him, his wife, and three daughters all the best on their next adventure." – John Graves, Dartmouth College Head Women's Rowing Coach
"Gordon is a very talented young coach who will bring enthusiasm and excitement to UConn women's rowing. He has a track record of being part of fast teams. He knows how to build a program. It will be exciting to watch him bring UConn to the next level." – Will Porter, Yale University Head Women's Rowing Coach
"Wow; what a terrific hire for the Huskies. They brought Gordon home to Connecticut and in doing so landed a talented, experienced, and ambitious coach with a proven record of success in NCAA rowing. The UConn athletes and Husky rowing fans have much to look forward to." – Bill Manning, Former Head Women's Rowing Coach at the University of Pennsylvania
