BOSTON, Mass. – Director of Athletics & Recreation Erica Schuling and Simmons University Athletics are pleased to announce the hiring of Linda Muri as the University's Head Rowing Coach. One of the most accomplished figures in American rowing, Muri brings more than three decades of collegiate, national team, and international coaching experience, including leadership roles at Dartmouth College, Harvard University, and Cornell University, along with a decorated competitive career that includes three World Championship titles and nine appearances on the U.S. National Team.
"We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Linda to Simmons and our rowing program," said Schuling. "Few coaches can match the breadth of experience Linda brings as both a world-class athlete and elite coach. Her success at the collegiate, national, and international levels is remarkable, but equally impressive is her passion for mentoring student-athletes and fostering excellence both on the water and in the classroom. We are excited for the future of our rowing program under her leadership and are confident she will build upon our foundation while elevating Simmons Rowing to new heights."
Muri's collegiate coaching career began at Simmons in 1990 as an interim assistant coach before she went on to spend nearly two decades coaching in the Ivy League at Cornell, Harvard, and Dartmouth. At Cornell, she served as an assistant coach and head recruiter for the men's lightweight rowing program before joining Harvard's men's lightweight staff, where she spent 13 seasons helping guide the Crimson to multiple EARC Sprints and IRA National Championship medals.
During her time in Cambridge, Muri helped lead Harvard's freshman lightweight crews to an EARC Sprints title and IRA National Championship in 2004, the program's first victories in those events in nearly two decades. Her crews also posted a perfect 10-0 dual meet record in 2010 and earned an IRA silver medal in 2014. In addition to her on the water duties, Muri served as the head recruiting coordinator.
Muri earned her first collegiate head coaching opportunity in 2014 when she was named head coach of the Dartmouth women's rowing program. She immediately made an impact, increasing the program's athlete retention by more than 50 percent in her first season while building a culture centered on development and competitiveness. During her three seasons with the Big Green, Dartmouth advanced multiple boats to Grand Finals at the Eastern Sprints and Ivy League Championships.
Beyond the collegiate ranks, Muri has spent more than two decades coaching on the international stage. Her résumé includes five gold medal crews, two bronze medal crews, and 14 Grand Final appearances at World Championship events. She served seven years with the U.S. Under-23 National Team, coaching 11 crews, and spent four years with the U.S. Senior National Team. Muri also worked with the U.S. Under-19 Women's National Team and the Zimbabwe Under-23 National Team.
Among her many international accomplishments, Muri coached former Harvard rower Andrew Campbell to consecutive gold medals in the single sculls at the 2013 and 2014 World Rowing Under-23 Championships. She also helped guide three United States crews to gold medals at the 2010 World Rowing Under-23 Championships.
As a competitor, Muri enjoyed one of the most distinguished rowing careers of her generation. A nine-time member of the U.S. National Team, she captured three World Championship titles, won 18 U.S. National Championships, and earned five Head of the Charles championships. In 1994, she was named a semifinalist for the prestigious James E. Sullivan Award, presented annually to the nation's top amateur athlete.
Muri's impact on the sport extends well beyond competition and coaching. In recognition of her contributions to rowing, Harvard-Radcliffe and MIT renamed their annual lightweight race the Linda Muri Cup in 2009. She has also held numerous leadership positions within the rowing community, including serving as President and Director of the CRASH-B World Indoor Rowing Championships and as a member of the USRowing Board of Directors.
"I am delighted to be back on the Charles leading the Simmons Rowing program and working with a university that has made such a commitment to excellence on and off the water," said Muri. I am grateful to Erica Schuling for this opportunity to step back into coaching and look forward to welcoming the team back to Boston this fall.
A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Muri later earned a master's degree in education from Harvard University.
Muri's official start date is July 15, but her email is already active and can be reached at linda.muri@simmons.edu.
