Open Women

Matt Russell - Open Womens Head Coach  email Matt

Matt Russell is entering his 10th year as a Head Coach and his 13th year of involvement with Thompson Boat Center. Coach Russell began rowing 22 years ago when he helped start the rowing team at his high school, St Mary’s Hall/ Doane Academy in Burlington, NJ.

After graduating from high school, Coach Russell attended George Washington University where he played a prominent role in brining GWU’s crew back to a nationally competitive level. During his years at GW he earned medals at the Dad Vail, Champion International, and Southern Intercollegiate Championships as well as a top six finish at the US Collegiate Championships in 1993. Coach Russell also competed for the Olympic Development Camp at the Potomac Boat Club in 1993 and 1994.

Coach Russell turned in his oar for a megaphone in 1994, when he started coaching at TBC. During his time at TBC, he has coached everything from Learn to Row to the Open Women’s competitive team. Coach Russell has also served as the Head coach for Walt Whitman High School for 6 years, the George Washington University Freshman Men’s coach for 3 years, and the Women’s coach at Potomac Boat club for 3 years. He has also served as the coach for 2 United States Development Camps; the Junior Women’s Camp in 1999 and the Senior Women’s Camp in 2007. Russell's crews have earned a total of 25 medals at national competitions.

When not coaching, Russell is currently the Vice Principal and middle school history teacher at St. Jane deChantal School in Bethesda, MD. Coach Russell now lives in Washington, DC with his wife Katie, his children Kelly and Mike, and his dog Patton.