SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. -- The Mount Holyoke College Department of Athletics and head rowing coach Cara Murphy announced the appointment of former UC San Diego coach and student-athlete Jeff Collett as the second full-time assistant coach in the program's history.
"I am excited to join the Mount Holyoke College community as the new assistant rowing coach," Collett said. "With over a decade of coaching experience, including time spent as the head coach of the UC San Diego men's rowing team, I have seen firsthand how the efforts of a dedicated coaching staff can build a team's legacy. My wife, a professor of neuroscience at Mount Holyoke, and our two daughters are thrilled to be part of this vibrant community, and we are all looking forward to this new chapter in our lives."
Among the first of several full-time assistant coaches Mount Holyoke Athletics is hiring this year, Collett brings a wealth of experience from his extensive background in rowing and coaching. A former scholar-athlete at UC San Diego, Collett was a key member of the Varsity 8+ crew that helped the Tritons reach new heights, including a historic appearance at the IRA Championships in 2009. His dedication to the sport earned him All-WIRA First Team honors during his time there. Collett later returned to UC San Diego as an assistant coach, where he played a pivotal role in developing the program's success, particularly in recruiting and coaching crews that consistently dominated the Western Sprints Championships.
"Jeff's experience, passion for the sport and enthusiasm are a great asset to our program," said Murphy. "He has already hit the ground running teaching our newest walk-on athletes and bringing creativity and energy to recruiting future Lyons. I look forward to seeing the impact Jeff will have on the team as we build into the future."
Before his tenure at UC San Diego, Collett served as the head coach at Newport Aquatic Center, where he successfully led the program to top finishes in the Southwest Region. His experience spans over a decade, including significant roles in youth rowing and a unique stint in the e-sports industry as Director of Operations at Cloud9 Training Grounds.
Collett is eager to contribute to the continued growth and success of the team by fostering resilience and excellence both on and off the water.
"I believe that coaching allows us to guide young scholar-athletes through challenging times and adversity, building resilience that will carry them to future successes beyond the boathouse," he said. "I look forward to working with Coach Murphy and the athletes at Mount Holyoke, helping them prepare academically and athletically while developing their skillsets beyond the boathouse."
Mount Holyoke's first competition of the 2024-25 academic year will be the Head of the Snake regatta on Oct. 5.
