Aug. 20, 2015
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – After 14 incredibly successful years under the Golden Dome, University of Notre Dame associate head rowing coach Joe Schlosberg has accepted the head position at the United States Naval Academy.
“It’s overwhelming,” said Schlosberg of accepting his first head coaching position. “I didn’t think an opportunity like this (Navy) would open up. It’s a fantastic place and program.
“Coaching wise it’s time. It’s time for me to try this new step and this new challenge. I’m going to miss it (Notre Dame) here though. I’m going to miss the people. That’s what makes Notre Dame so special. Having the opportunity over the years to work with so many student-athletes and watch them grow and become successful people is the best part. It’s been great to see the (Notre Dame) program grow over the years and reach higher and higher levels of success. To be part of that has been amazing.”
Schlosberg, who graduated from Northwestern in 2000, came to Notre Dame in 2001-02 in time for the program’s fourth varsity season.
Over the 14 years, Schlosberg worked with the varsity four boats, the novice program and the second varsity eight. Highlighting his tenure were 10 consecutive BIG EAST Conference titles from 2004-13, 26 gold medals at conference championship regattas, 15 All-Americans over the last 13 seasons and the program’s first six NCAA Championship appearances including a program-best ninth-place finish in 2014.
In acknowledging a fine 2014 season, the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) honored Schlosberg and fellow Irish assistant Marine Stahl with South Region Staff of the Year accolades before they moved on to become National Staff of the Year finalists.
“Joe has been a very positive and steady influence on our program,” said Irish head coach Martin Stone. “The first year (2001-02) he was here we made the NCAA Championship for the first time. The program has constantly grown and it’s been a great partnership over the last 14 years. We are very excited and I think it’s a great opportunity for him to move on and coach at the Naval Academy. It’s a tremendous place.
“Navy is getting a great person number one that cares deeply about the development of the student-athletes as people, students and athletes. His personality will fit in wonderfully. They are getting someone who is highly knowledgeable of the sport, is a good motivator and can be a great leader of the program.”
During his entire time at Notre Dame, Schlosberg has worked under Stone, who left Navy in 1997 after six seasons to start the Notre Dame rowing program from the ground up.
“Martin (Stone) has given me a lot of opportunities to grow, to try things and fail at them,” said Schlosberg. “He’s not afraid to try new things. My big takeaway is to continue to evolve and grow as it relates to the program as well as coaching. The landscape of rowing is constantly changing and as a result we have to change as well. I’ve learned to never be satisfied with where we are and to keep trying to grow the program and take it to new heights.”
Schlosberg takes over a Navy program that saw consistent success for 18 years under the recently retired Mike Hughes. A four-time Patriot League Coach of the Year, Hughes led Navy to three Patriot League crowns and two NCAA Championship births during his time with the Midshipmen, with the last title and NCAA trip coming in his final campaign (2014-15).
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–Russell Dorn, Athletics Communications Assistant Director
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