MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College Director of Athletics
Larry Hiser announced Tuesday (May 21) afternoon that Philip Schmehl has resigned as the Pioneer's head men's rowing coach. A national search for Marietta's 14th coach in the program's storied history is underway.
"We thank Phil for his 11 years of loyal service to our rowing programs," Hiser said. "He was a giving and conscientious member of our community and we wish him the best."
Schmehl took over the men's program in the summer of 2012. His 2014 varsity 4+ crew won the Mid-Atlantic Rowing Conference (MARC) title. The Pioneers advanced its varsity 8+ crew into the 2016 Dad Vail Grand Final finishing fifth overall.
In 2017, the Pioneers captured the MARC varsity 8+ gold medal. Marietta closed the 2017 season with the varsity 4+ crew finishing fifth in the Grand Final of the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships.
"I am grateful for having had the opportunity to work with the men and women rowers at Marietta and I appreciate all of their hard work and sacrifices," Schmehl said. "I look forward to seeing the team develop speed and help Marietta return to the podium at the Dad Vail and beyond."
Schmehl came to Marietta in 2009 as an assistant coach with the women's rowing program. In his four years on the women's staff, the Pioneers won a pair of Dad Vail Varsity 8+ gold medals, qualified for the NCAA Division III Championship twice and captured two MARC titles.
The oldest athletic program at the college, men's rowing traces its beginning back to 1871. Marietta 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.
Current assistant coach
Russ Garrett has been named as the interim head coach and will oversee the program's operations while the search for Schmehl's successor is conducted.
Fans can follow all the Pioneer teams all year long at
pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at
facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on Twitter and Instagram.
