getting into coaching

Question
Hi,
I'm a four-year collegiate rower/coxswain who isn't ready to leave crew behind.  I really want to get into coaching as a part-time thing--how would you recommend I get into coaching and what qualities do you think would be good to target as a first-time coach?  Technical knowledge of rowing isn't an issue for me.
thanks

Answer
Hi John: Interesting question.  When I was a senior, rowing Varsity Lightweight 4, our V8 coxswain coached us.  He went on to coach the women's program at the University of Delaware until his untimely passing from cancer.  I also had an assistant coahed)who went on to become Head Coach of the US Men's Olympic team (I was in the first boat he ever coached.

The best place to start is to ask your college coach to give you a shot at coaching one of the "B" boats.  Let's say your college crew has 4 men's boats and 2 coaches: the head coach focuses on the V8, and JV8; the asst coach rns the Fresh/Novice 8 program.  The team also has a Lightweight or Varsity 4.  Maybe that V4 is made up of the leftover rowers and the head coach tries his best to coach them but it's hard to keep them in drills with two fast eights.  So you come in and coach the four.  If there are not enough launches in the afternoon practice, then you practice them at 6:00 AM.  If you're lucky, you can get paid as a graduate assistant. If not, you are gaining experience for your resume.

Other options are getting a gig on a club or high school program.  

I guess the most important skill sets are spotting technical errors (coxswains are good for that), knwing all about boat rigging (not as easy as you thing), and athletic training and conditioning.  You may want to get your USRA certification.  Use the site posted for more info on certification:

http://www.usrowing.org/Coaches/CoachingEducationProgramOverview/index.aspx

Good Luck/AP