Alabama Rowing Adds Assistant Coach

Tuscaloosa native Derek Tuten has been named assistant coach of The University of Alabama rowing team.

“Derek brings a wealth of rowing knowledge to our program,” Alabama Coach Larry Davis said. “And being from Tuscaloosa, he knows this area well and the Alabama rowing community. He is a strong asset to our growing program.”

Tuten joins Davis, assistant coach Marina Traub and graduate assistant coach Megan McKee on the Tide coaching staff. Prior to joining the Alabama staff, Tuten served as head coach of the Alabama Crew Club, leading the men to a win at the Head of the South and a finalist spot at the S.I.R.A. Championships.

A 1997 graduate of Central High School, Tuten coached the Alabama Crew Club for two years as an assistant under Davis before taking over the reins last year. During that period the club was a consistent medalist, including earning gold at the S.I.R.A. Championships.

“Having worked with Coach Davis in the past with great success, I excited about the opportunity to do so again at the division I level,” Tuten said. “I am also excited to work with Coach Traub. She brings a great level of experience and knowledge to the program. With the university's dedication to athletics and academics, I know this program will succeed.”

Tuten was a four year member of the Alabama Crew Club while pursuing a Psychology degree at Alabama. He also rowed for the Riverside Boat Club and Community Rowing in Boston, one of the nation’s top cities for competitive rowing.

As a competitor, Tuten rowed at the U.S. Rowing National Championships as well as the C.R.A.S.H. – B Sprints World Indoor Championships. He won gold at the Southeastern Championships, Head of the South and Chattanooga Head Race during his career. He also medaled at the Head of the Chattahoochee, Head of the Tennessee, Augusta Invitational, Tennessee Indoor Sprints, Atlanta Indoor Sprints and Clemson Sprints.

The Alabama Rowing team gets its second varsity season underway October 13 at the head of the Chattanooga Regatta.