STANFORD, Calif. – Derek Byrnes has been promoted to lead both the women's openweight and lightweight rowing programs at Stanford, returning to support and provide guidance to the women's lightweight team while continuing to serve as the head coach of the openweight program. Additionally, Molly Hamrick has been promoted to associate head coach of the openweight team.
Byrnes finished his seventh season at Stanford this spring, which has included two seasons leading the lightweight team from 2014-16 and five seasons at the helm of the openweight team from 2016-21. A two-time CRCA National Coach of the Year and two-time IRA Women's Lightweight Coach of the Year, Byrnes guided the Cardinal's lightweight program to IRA team titles in 2015 and 2016.
Developing the openweight team since 2016, Byrnes led the program to national prominence in 2021 with second-place results at the NCAA and Pac-12 Championships, including a Pac-12 title in the varsity four. The second-place team finish at the NCAA championship was the best Stanford result since 2011, while each of the Cardinal boats finished in the top two for the first time in program history.
"I am excited that Molly is being recognized for her leadership, mentorship of our scholar-athletes and her contributions to Stanford athletics. This promotion reflects the tremendous impact Molly has made on our program in just two years," said Byrnes. "Already she has revamped our recruiting model, influenced our training philosophy and played an integral role in our teams second place finish at the 2021 NCAA Championships. I am thrilled to continue to work alongside Molly in her new role."
Hamrick concluded her second season at Stanford in 2021, after her first campaign was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. An All-American during her collegiate career at Princeton, Hamrick arrived at Stanford following two seasons as an assistant for her alma mater.
A national search will commence immediately for associate and assistant coaches of the lightweight program.