Tom Terhaar, the winningest coach in US rowing history and (we believe) in international women's rowing, will join the staff at Columbia University as Director of Rowing. Terhaar will oversee all three Columbia programs - the heavyweight men, open women, and lightweight men.
Terhaar was the Columbia lightweight men's coach for five years before taking over as the head USA women's coach in 2001; his crews won IRA silver in 1998, and Eastern Sprints gold in 2000, Columbia's first-ever lightweight V8 EARC championship.
Terhaar coached the USA women's crews to 17 World Championship gold medals, highlighted by a run of eleven straight World Championships in the women's eight that included three consecutive Olympic Golds during his tenure. The total medal tally during his time coaching the team was 37 Olympic and Worlds medals.
"I am extremely excited to take on this new challenge with the student-athletes, coaches, administration, and the alumni of Columbia University," Terhaar said. "I look forward to continuing the proud tradition of Columbia's achievements while helping to build new successes in the future."
Both Columbia University and USRowing issued releases today.
See Columbia's release here: Columbia Hires Tom Terhaar As Director of Rowing.