Penn's Kumari Lewis To Lead Crimson Tide Rowing Team

TUSCALOOSA, AL — University of Alabama Director of Athletics Greg Byrne announced Wednesday that the University of Pennsylvania's Kumari Lewis has been named the new head coach of the Crimson Tide rowing program.

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Lewis arrives in Tuscaloosa after eight seasons at Penn, where she most recently served as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator.

As Patch previously reported, former UA rowing head coach Glenn Putyrae announced in May that he was stepping down following his seventh season.

The financial terms of Lewis’ appointment remain subject to approval by the UA System Board of Trustees.

Lewis is credited with helping guide the Quakers to four consecutive full-team appearances at the NCAA Championships from 2022 to 2025 — a first in program history.

“We are excited to welcome Kumari Lewis as the next head coach of Alabama Rowing,” Byrne said. “She is widely regarded as one of the top up-and-coming coaches in the sport and came highly recommended by many throughout the search process. Coach Lewis has a proven track record of success in one of the most competitive rowing conferences in the nation and has been instrumental in Penn’s past recruiting efforts. She brings tremendous energy and enthusiasm and is a wonderful addition to our outstanding lineup of coaches.”

During her time at Penn, the Quakers claimed five Ivy League Championship medals — three from the Varsity Eight and two from the Second Varsity Eight.

The team also posted back-to-back top-10 national finishes, placing sixth in 2023 and 10th in 2024, and earned top-12 placements across all boats at the 2024 NCAA Championships.

“I am thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to lead this incredible group of women at Alabama,” Lewis said. “This team has the capacity to do something exceptional, and I am excited to help make that happen alongside an amazing staff. The University community is unparalleled, and I am humbled by the opportunity to be part of it. Row Tide!”

Lewis has also coached with U.S. Rowing at various national junior camps and served as a resident assistant at the U.S. Rowing Junior National Selection Camp.

Lewis — a former standout rower at Bucknell University — was a first-team All-Patriot League selection, CRCA National Scholar-Athlete, and member of multiple academic honor societies.

She graduated with a degree in political science and minors in art history and French.

Lewis and her husband, Shawn, have been married since 2019.

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