Nilsson Named US Assistant Coach

Former Princeton University men’s eight coach Chris Nilsson has been hired by USRowing as its assistant men’s coach, USRowing executive director John Dane announced yesterday (Thursday).

Nilsson will be working with the lightweight men’s coxless four among other crews for the World Championships in Lucerne, Switzerland this month.

It is not Nilsson’s first foray into coaching for the USA – last year, as a volunteer assistant coach, he led the men’s coxed pair to gold at the FISA Non-Olympic World Championships.

The New Zealander was the Princeton University heavyweight men’s coach in 2000 and coached the eight to a second place at the Eastern Sprints regatta and a third place at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships.

Mr Dane said Nilsson was a valuable addition to the USRowing coaching team.

“His successful international experience combined with his steady coaching style adds depth and dimension to our efforts to develop world-class athletes,” Dane said.

A 1972 New Zealand Olympian, Nilsson has been coaching since 1981 and was an assistant coach at Oxford University before moving to the United States.