MARIETTA, Ohio - Marietta College Director of Athletics Larry Hiser announced the hiring of Philip Schmehl as the new head coach of the Men's Rowing team Friday (July 13) morning.

“Phil faced very stiff competition during the search process and proved to be the most complete candidate and, therefore, the best person to lead our program,” Hiser said. “With his demonstrated work ethic, attention to detail and energetic personality, we are looking forward to his successful leadership for years to come.”

Schmehl will be 13th coach in the storied history of men's rowing at Marietta College.  The oldest athletic program at the college, men's rowing traces its beginning back to 1871.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the history and tradition of Marietta College rowing. I am humbled to now be listed among the other great coaches that have led this program,” Schmehl said. “I am excited to continue the success that Marietta rowing has enjoyed for several decades.”

Marietta College is a charter member of the Dad Vail Rowing Association and won the inaugural Dad Vail Trophy in 1934. The Pioneers twice hosted the Dad Vail Championships in 1931 and 1945. In total Marietta has won 39 Dad Vail gold medals including seven in the varsity eight classification.

“Phil's background as a rower at Bucknell and previous coaching experience will enable him to continue our tradition of Dad Vail prominence,” Hiser said. “He is a proven recruiter and has the technical knowledge needed to lead a program of our stature.”

Schmehl is not a stranger to Marietta College. He has served as the assistant coach to the women's rowing squad since 2009. During his time as an assistant the women's team earned back-to-back bids to the NCAA championship culminating in a sixth place national finish this spring. The Pioneers won consecutive Dad Vail Varsity 8+ gold medals and captured the Mid-Atlantic Rowing Conference (MARC) championship in 2011 and 2012.

With over 11 years of coaching experience, Schmehl came to Marietta after serving as the head men's and women's rowing coach at the University of Mary Washington for five years. Both his men's and women's teams won MARC championships in 2009.

Schmehl started his coaching career as an intern at Oregon State University. He spent two years as an assistant at Smith College earning his master's degree in Exercise and Sports Studies in 2004.

Schmehl got his first head coaching experience at Northampton Youth and Community Rowing Inc. and the Rivanna Rowing Club. He spent two years coaching juniors and masters rowers.

A four-year rower at Bucknell University under head coach Steve Kish, Schmehl earned a bachelors degree in English and History.

Schmehl holds a Level III Coaching certification from USRowing and is a member of the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association. He currently serves as a member of the CRCA All-American Committee and is a previous member of the NCAA Regional Advisory Committee. Schmehl has also served as the commissioner of the MARC for the last two and a half years.

Schmehl and his wife Rebecca live in Athens with their son, Charlie, and two dogs.