Glenn Putyrae, nine-time West Coast Conference Coach of the Year, was chosen as the new head coach of the Alabama rowing team, athletic director Greg Byrne announced on Friday. Putyrae comes to Tuscaloosa with 19 years of head coaching experience having spent 15 of those over two stints at Gonzaga (1999-2007, 2011-18) and the other four at Georgetown (2007-11).
“Four areas really stood out for us as we progressed through the interview process with Glenn,” Byrne said. “Those were his passion, his work ethic and his vision and belief for the future of this program. He’s had great success leading both Gonzaga and Georgetown, and we are confident he will do the same for the Crimson Tide.”
Since the start of his second stint at Gonzaga in 2011, Putyrae won five WCC championships over a seven-year span (2013, 2015-18). The team’s 2013 league title earned the Zags their first bid in program history into the NCAA championships.
“My goal is to build on the foundation that Coach Davis laid here and ultimately compete for championships, which I know we can do with all of the phenomenal resources available to us,” Putyrae said. “My wife, Mollie, and I felt so welcomed from the time we stepped foot in Alabama, and we are so excited to now call Tuscaloosa home. I’m eager to get started, and I look forward to meeting and working with the student-athletes.”
