Lisa Glenn retires as coach of Tennessee rowing after 25 years
Tennessee announced women’s rowing coach Lisa Glenn is retiring after 25 years.
"Thank you to the groundbreaking leaders who offered me the keys to this challenge, and a shout out to the innovators who are shepherding the athletics program now,” Glenn said in a school release. "I'm excited to cheer on the next chapter of Tennessee rowing; it will always have a special place in my heart.”
Only two coaches in program history eclipse Glenn's tenure as a coach at Tennessee: Pat Summitt, who led the women’s basketball program for 38 seasons, and Mike Patrick, who coached women's tennis for 29 seasons.
Glenn, who is the second coach in the program’s 28-year history, led Tennessee to nine appearances at the NCAA championships, including full-team selections in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2021. She is a three-time regional coach of the year and a two-time conference coach of the year.
VOLS WCWS: Tennessee softball stifles Alabama's comeback bid in Women's College World Series opener
INFLECTION POINT: Inside the daring decision that altered Tennessee baseball's season toward Clemson Regional
The first coach at Tennessee was Susannah Iacovino, who led the team from 1995 to 1998.
The Lady Vols have earned two conference titles and one region title and have finished in the top three at conference championships 11 of 12 times under Glenn. Additionally, Tennessee rowers earned 12 All-America honors and 79 all-region recognitions.
In 2007, Tennessee placed ninth at the NCAA championship event, which is the best finish in program history.
"Lisa has put her heart and soul into leading our women's rowing program, and we are incredibly thankful for all she has done over her 25 years as head coach," athletic director Danny White said in the release. "She achieved success on the water with nine appearances in the NCAA Championships and in the classroom with 93 national scholar-athlete awards since 2001. From all of us on Rocky Top, thank you Lisa!"
Tennessee placed second in the Big 12 Championship this year — its best finish ever — as all five boats medaled at the regatta for the first time in program history.
"Working with the awesome student-athletes that have come through our program has been an honor, and watching our alums move successfully into life, family and careers is even better,” Glenn said.
Before Glenn was hired as UT's coach, she was an assistant at Iowa from 1994-98.
In 1993, she served as the assistant development coach for the U.S. Junior National Team and was named the head coach the following year. Glenn served on the NCAA Rowing Committee from 2005-07, and she also held a seat on the USRowing Board of Directors from 1996-98.
"Leading the rowing program has given me numerous opportunities for which I am very grateful," Glenn said.
Glenn’s first coaching job was as a graduate assistant coach for Syracuse while pursuing her master's degree in public communications.
Glenn, a Clarkston, Michigan native, graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 1988 and was the school's varsity rowing captain for two years and a varsity letter winner from 1985-88.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee rowing coach Lisa Glenn retires after 25 years
