ITHACA, N.Y. -- Reid Johnson, who has spent more than a decade developing rowers at every level from novice to Division I, has been named the Henry E. Bartels '48 Head Coach of Men's Lightweight Rowing, it was announced today by Dr. Nicki Moore, the Meakem & Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education.
"Reid has the right combination of program-building experience and a genuine passion for developing young people, both on and off the water," Moore said. "He will set a standard of excellence I believe our student-athletes will want to rise to meet, and he understands what it takes to build a culture they will want to be a part of. Cornell rowing carries a legacy few programs can match, and it's clear that leading this program is exactly where Reid wants to be. I am confident he's the right leader for our program at this moment."
"I am honored to accept this role as Head Coach of Lightweight Men's Rowing at Cornell, and grateful to Dr. Nicki Moore, Laura Sgrecci and the senior administrative team for this opportunity," Johnson said. "Cornell Rowing is as historic as any program out there, and I'm humbled to join a boathouse with this much legacy — eight IRA National Championships and 12 Eastern Sprints titles. Grit, respect for the program's tradition, and enthusiasm for being model citizens will guide us as we build a culture that brings out the best in everyone. I am very grateful for my wife Emma for her support and belief in me. I am eager to begin this next chapter with my family in Ithaca and cannot wait to kick things off with the upcoming fall season. Go Big Red!"
Johnson spent nine years at the Pelham Community Rowing Association (PCRA), most recently as the club's Director of Youth Rowing. He grew the club's youth program from the ground up to roughly 130 athletes, a staff of three full-time and up to eight part-time coaches, and one of the most competitive youth rowing operations in the Northeast. As Head Youth Men's Coach, his crews earned 12 medals at the New York State Scholastic Rowing Championships, set the program's best-ever finish in the Men's Youth 8+ at both the Head of the Charles (11th, 2022) and the Youth National Championships (eighth, 2023), and qualified six crews for Youth Nationals as recently as this spring. In all, 22 of his athletes went on to row at the Division I level, including 10 in the Ivy League, and three earned invitations to the U.S. Under-19 Selection Camp.
Before PCRA, Johnson spent two seasons (2015-17) as an assistant coach for Princeton's heavyweight program, helping every varsity boat medal at the 2016 IRA National Championships. The program was also the Team Points Champion at the 2016 Eastern Sprints Regatta and produced a number of athletes who went on to earn national team selection, including three Olympic medalists. Johnson began his coaching career in 2014 as a novice coach at Saugatuck Rowing Club in Westport, Conn.
A 2013 graduate of Hobart College with a degree in History, Johnson served as team captain and a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He'll be joined in Ithaca with his wife, Emma and twin girls, Imogen and Whitney.
