Coaches
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Varsity Coach: Tony Johnson
Varsity heavyweight men's coach Tony Johnson has coached and directed the rowing program at Georgetown since 1989. He first coached the Georgetown crew from 1967 to 1969 before coaching at Yale University for 20 years.
In guiding the sport of crew on the Hilltop, Johnson has overseen significant growth of the program, strengthening the foundation for even greater success in the future. He has helped to secure over $18 million in financial support over the past 15 years. Johnson was the only full-time coach in 1990 when he returned to Georgetown. Today, four full-time coaches and four part-time coaches oversee four varsity programs and four novice teams. Johnson has served as the leading proponent for a new boathouse, a goal that will soon be achieved. The Hoya crews have all upgraded their competitive level from Dad Vail to Eastern Sprint competition.
Johnson's rowers earned gold for three straight years at the Champion Regatta in the mid-1990's. Several have earned post-collegiate accolades on a national level. His coaching achievements at Yale include the 1982 national championship, several Eastern Sprint titles, and two junior varsity titles at the Henley Royal Regatta. He was named Eastern Coach of the Year in 1982.
Johnson began his rowing career under the legendary Charlie Butt at Washington-Lee High School and continued to row at Syracuse University and Potomac Boat Club. Johnson earned a silver medal in the pairs at the 1968 Olympics and gold medals at the 1967 and 1969 European championships. He served as an assistant U.S. Olympic rowing coach in 1972.
Assistant Varsity Coach: Frank Benson
Frank Benson has been assisting Tony Johnson with the varsity heavyweights since 2002. Frank began his rowing career under Charlie Butt at Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, VA. After three years at W-L he attended Syracuse University and rowed for Potomac Boat Club during the summers. It was during this period that he learned the German style of rowing that revolutionized American rowing. From 1968 to 1974, Frank coached at Georgetown, first coaching the freshmen and later the varsity heavyweights as head coach. During this time Georgetown won numerous medals in the Dad Vail Regatta. After coaching at Georgetown, Frank coached the PBC elite heavyweight crew that set the course record in the Stewards Cup at Henley and represented the US in the 1975 World Championships. Terry Adams, Greg Carroll and others rowed in these crews. Frank has also coached at George Mason University and founded the crew at the University of Maryland. Frank retired as a teacher and school administrator in 2000. He is currently an administrator at Old Dominion University.
Frosh/Novice Coach: Marc Mandel
Marc Mandel arrived in August 2005 to coach the men's novice heavyweight squad. Prior to arriving at Georgetown, Marc served as Head Coach of Men's Rowing at Florida Institute of Technology from 2001-05. His tenure was highlighted by a silver medal in the varsity eight in 2005 and a gold medal in the freshmen four in 2004 at the Dad Vail National Championships. In addition, the program won four straight Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships under his guidance. Mandel graduated from Northwestern University in 1998, having competed four years as a lightweight oarsman.
