IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair Gary Barta announced Tuesday that Andrew Carter has resigned as head coach of the UI rowing program.
“I have had the opportunity to work with countless wonderful people over the past eight years and I’ll always appreciate that opportunity and value those relationships. Thank you to Athletic Director Barta for providing that,” said Carter. “This is the right time for my family and me, however, so I’m ready to see someone new have that chance. I wish the very best to not only the rowing team, but all of Hawkeye athletics in the future.”
“We appreciate the years of service Coach Carter has provided as the head of our women’s rowing program,” said Barta. “We wish him the best of luck moving forward. A national search for his replacement will begin immediately.”
Carter was named the third head coach in program history for the University of Iowa rowing program in July 2013. He led Iowa to the NCAA Championships in three straight season from 2017-19, recording the second, third and fourth NCAA appearances in program history. Iowa set a school record with three All-Americans in 2019.
The Hawkeyes improved in the conference standings in each of Carter’s first five years at the Big Ten Championships. Iowa appeared in the national polls 33 times under Carter’s direction, topping out at No. 7 in 2018, the highest ranking in school history. Carter was named the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association Regional Coach of the Year in both 2017 and 2018.
Iowa assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Katie Thurstin will oversee the rowing program on an interim basis. Thurstin joined the Iowa staff in September 2021 after serving as head coach for the men’s and women’s rowing team at Stetson University from 2017-21. Prior to Stetson, she was the first assistant/novice coach at Drake University for four years and the head coach of the Des Moines Rowing Club.
