SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara rowing as added John Kaitz as its new associate head coach. Kaitz was most recently with NorCal Crew out of Redwood City.
"It is my pleasure to welcome John Kaitz to Santa Clara University and the Santa Clara rowing program," director of rowing Jay Farwell said. "John brings more than three decades of coaching experience and an impressive record of developing athletes and championship-caliber programs. His philosophy centers on developing talent, building a culture where student-athletes can thrive and inspiring a lasting passion for excellence. We are excited to welcome a coach who brings a deep understanding of the sport, a commitment to individual and team development. John's experience and passion for rowing will be a tremendous addition to our program and to the Santa Clara community."
Kaitz brings more than three decades of coaching experience and a proven record of developing athletes and championship-caliber programs at the collegiate, junior, masters and elite levels. His coaching philosophy is built on three foundational principles: identifying and developing talent, creating a culture in which student-athletes can become their best selves, and fostering passion for the pursuit of excellence. He believes that every athlete has the potential to achieve greatness when strong standards, discipline, commitment and effective communication are combined with a genuine desire to improve. A hallmark of his approach is the ability to teach skills in multiple ways, recognizing that every athlete learns differently and that exceptional coaching requires meeting athletes where they are.
Throughout his career, Kaitz has guided inexperienced rowers to national-level success, earned numerous national championships at the collegiate and masters levels, coached crews to collegiate regional and national championships, and developed athletes competing at the highest levels of the sport, including world-record performances. He views coaching as the process of bringing out an athlete's true ability—creating the environment, confidence and passion that allow individuals and teams to discover just how good they can become.
