Larry Davis has announced that he will retire from his position as head rowing coach at the University of Alabama. Davis spent 12 seasons at the helm after being named the program’s first coach in 2006.
“I want to express my appreciation to the University of Alabama for everything it has done over the years for me and for this program and certainly want to commend all of the student-athletes who have been a part of Alabama rowing,” Davis said. “I am proud of our accomplishments, and I wish the program the best in the future.”
Under Davis’ direction, Alabama transitioned from a club team to an NCAA Division I competitor. In the program’s first year, the Tide earned a number of top-5 finishes and dual-meet victories against established programs. In the fall of 2017, Alabama’s women’s club 4+ won gold by setting a course record at the Head of the Charles in Boston. The season concluded with a fifth-place finish at the 2018 Big 12 Championships after competing in all five grand final races, earning a trio of bronze medals. Alabama competes in the Big 12 in rowing because the Southeastern Conference does not sponsor rowing.
“We thank Coach Davis for his years of dedicated service to The University of Alabama,” said Alabama Director of Athletics Greg Byrne. “He was instrumental in building our rowing program from its inception to what it is today, and his efforts are certainly appreciated.”
