June 28, 2011

BERKELEY -

Head coach Dave O'Neill and California women's crew have added former Clemson assistant coach Lincoln Laroe to the Golden Bear coaching staff for the 2012 season. Laroe spent just one season with the Tigers, but helped Clemson to a 15th-place finish at the 2011 NCAA Championships.

"I'm thrilled to have Lincoln join our staff," O'Neill said. "His personality, work ethic and positive attitude are a perfect fit for our team. Aside from his wealth of experience in every facet of the sport, I'm impressed with his entrepreneurial outlook, and this fits well into our team culture. Although we've had some great results, we're always looking at what we can do better, and Lincoln will bring fresh ideas on everything. I'm looking forward to working with him on the daily problem solving that's necessary to have a successful team."

Laroe comes to Berkeley with a wealth of experience in the sport and has been successful coaching at the junior, Division III and Division I levels. Laroe will work primarily with the first-year student-athletes, including walk-ons, but O'Neill expects the entire team to benefit from his insight. He will also oversee the management, repair and transportation of the equipment, as well as management of the team's practice facility.

Laroe's coaching career began at Oregon Rowing Unlimited in Portland, Ore., in 1997 and he spent seven years there. During his tenure there, ORU won multiple regional championships. He also coached at the San Diego Rowing Club and ZLAC Rowing Club. Prior to coaching at Clemson last season, he was the head coach for the men's rowing team at Lewis & Clark College from 2006 to 2010 and led the team to the program's first conference championship. In addition, Laroe has done extensive work with USRowing as a project manager, including production of video content for broadcast, web and DVD. He earned his MBA from Portland State in 2009 and his bachelor's from Northwestern in 1994.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to coach at a program with such a successful history, and a commitment to excellence both on the water and in the classroom," Laroe said. "Working with this caliber of coaches, athletes and administrators has always been a dream of mine, and I am very much looking forward to what we can accomplish together."

Current assistant coach Sarah Puddicombe, who will be entering her fourth year at Cal, will take on additional roles and will work more closely with the student-athletes competing in the NCAA events. She will continue to act as the team's recruiting coordinator.

"Coach Puddicombe has become an invaluable part of our team's success, and everyone has benefited from her leadership and expertise," O'Neill said. "Her role on the water will change a bit this year as she will work with the more-experienced student-athletes and priority crews, and I'm looking forward to this change, as well."