Headshot of Jeff Collett - new assistant rowing coach (Vertical) by Zeyu Zhao’27
By Bei Jia Viggiano ’28
Staff Writer
Following a cumulative seven-year career coaching rowing at the University of California San Diego, Jeffrey Collett has joined the Lyons community as the assistant coach to the varsity rowing team. A former student-athlete at the University of California, San Diego, Collett was a member of the Varsity 8+ crew that led the Tritons to their first-ever appearance at the 2009 Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships. His experience in coaching rowing spans throughout 15 years, from youth rowing to collegiate crews to non-profit organizations.
While Collett began rowing as a walk-on at Orange Coast College, his first sport was high school water polo. He explained that the reason for discontinuing water polo was due to the early morning practices; ironically, Collett’s passion for rowing would warrant even earlier mornings. After Orange Coast College, he transferred to UC San Diego, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication and moved directly to coaching roles. Collett’s first position was as an assistant coach for a high school club team in 2009. Collett initially saw it as a side job, but the experience would soon ignite a passion for coaching that he credits for setting him on the path that brought him to where he is now.
Though Mount Holyoke College and UC San Diego are located on opposite ends of the country with a significant difference in enrollment numbers, Collett claimed that the institutions held more similarities than the surface would suggest. Both colleges “attract highly motivated, academically driven students who are eager to learn,” Collett said in an email to Mount Holyoke News. “This makes coaching at Mount Holyoke especially rewarding because the athletes are inquisitive and quick to pick up new concepts. The location, however, does present some unique challenges, such as moving indoors for winter training.”
Despite the seasonal obstacles, Collett is confident that spring will be worth the wait as the team dedicates itself to building fitness that will be reflected in next semester’s performance. Furthermore, Collett contends that the change of seasons builds “a level of appreciation” where “every practice is cherished, and that enthusiasm creates a sense of urgency and focus that drives technical improvement.”
The primary goals set at the beginning of the season were to “develop a strong technical foundation, improve overall team fitness and foster a collaborative team culture,” Collett said. “We also aimed to improve our race execution and decision-making under pressure during competition.”
Collett explained that the coaches review video recordings, performance metrics and direct observations during practice to determine areas of strength and improvement for each athlete. Based on the information, adjustments are made and appropriate feedback is given. In addition to practical machinery and weekly team meetings, Collett believes that frequent communication and a mutual sense of purpose are crucial in maintaining team focus and cohesion. He applies this philosophy in the face of challenges, too. “We focus on the importance of steady improvement and regularly remind the athletes of the purpose behind their hard work,” he said. Collett further stated the importance of team-building activities and engaging practices in order to preserve “morale and a sense of unity.”
“Individual development and team success go hand in hand,” Collett explained. With team objectives in mind, personalized goals are set for individual athletes so each rower’s contribution is reflected in the overall cohesion and performance.
Upon reflection, Collett stated that an aspect of coaching he finds rewarding is witnessing an athlete master something they have been working hard to achieve. He explained that though rowing might appear straightforward, repetition and technical adjustments can be difficult for athletes. “Those moments of breakthrough, when everything clicks, are incredibly fulfilling,” Collett remarked.
As a new coach to the rowing program, Collett’s primary goal was to observe and understand how the boathouse operated and the community that had been built on the team. His biggest takeaway from the current season has been witnessing the team’s commitment to creating a “strong, supportive culture,” and developing their skills. Colette focused on determining the areas where he could have meaningful contributions and then efficiently following through. Additionally, he found working with walk-ons this fall rewarding as he revised the fundamentals of teaching rowing and watched “firsthand how quickly athletes can grow with the right guidance.”
Looking ahead, Collett is excited to experience a full winter and spring training cycle on the East Coast. “Each phase of the season brings its own challenges and opportunities, and I’m looking forward to helping the team continue to progress and prepare for competition,” he explained.
While the results of this season are unpredictable, Collett is certain that the team is in a secure position to improve on last season’s performance. “The focus remains on internal growth,” Collette stated, “making each athlete and the team as a whole better with every practice.”
Quill Nishi-Leonard ’27 contributed fact-checking.