Oxlade Elevated to Associate Head Coach

University of Louisville head rowing coach Derek Copeland has announced that Ed Oxlade has been elevated to associate head coach after serving as the Cardinals' assistant coach and rigger/boathouse manager since July 2013.

"Ed has contributed to this program on many different levels over the past decade," said Copeland. "He continues to grow his abilities and impact the growth of more and more athletes each year. This promotion makes perfect sense to everyone involved with the program and I am excited for Ed and the team."

A native of the United Kingdom, Oxlade is entering his 29^th season as a coach and has built an impressive resume which spans three countries in junior and collegiate rowing.

"I am very grateful to Derek Copeland and the administration for their faith in me to continue to drive and develop the rowing program here at the University of Louisville," said Oxlade. "I have been proud to work with this team for the past 11 seasons, and I am excited at the prospect and opportunity presented by this new role."

During his time at Louisville, Oxlade has predominantly worked with the varsity fours. His role as a developmental coach has been important in progressing student athletes through the system as they gain experience and expertise in collegiate rowing over their careers.

In 2024, Oxlade coached the second varsity 8 boat to a sixth-place finish in the 2024 ACC Championship. His most notable successes came in 2018, when the varsity 4 boat earned silver and second varsity 4 took home the bronze medal at the ACC Championship.

"I believe wholeheartedly that we have all the tools necessary to deliver an outstanding student-athlete experience," said Oxlade. "We will continue to drive and encourage our student athletes to even greater success in the classroom and onto their career paths. However, I am mindful that our performance on the water is paramount to our athletes feeling truly fulfilled in their experience – I am steadfast in forging a dedicated path forward with Derek's vision to deliver on the considerable promise our athletes show daily."

Prior to arriving in Louisville, Oxlade coached the Jacksonville University Dolphins from 2007-11 following his emigration to the United States from the United Kingdom.

In his first season stateside at Jacksonville, Oxlade's freshmen/novice crews became state champions in men's and women's eights at the FIRA state championships. He also worked with the women's varsity team as assistant coach, which culminated in the varsity four winning the Margaret McNiff trophy on the Schuylkill at the Dad Vail Regatta.

In 2009, he coached the men's novice eight to a repeat win at the FIRA state championship and a semi-final appearance at SIRA. He served as assistant coach to the JU varsity men's team, which repeated as FIRA state champions and won silver medals at both SIRA and Dad Vail in the Junior Varsity eight.

Oxlade played an integral role in the historic run of the men's varsity eight to the 2010 IRA Championships for the first time in the program's 54-year history. He assisted in the coaching of the varsity crews to repeat wins at the Murphy Cup (V8) and the FIRA state championships.

His coaching career started at Geelong Grammar School, in Victoria, Australia, where he was responsible for coaching the girls' second varsity 4. The crew had a stellar year, winning at Australian Henley, finishing second at the Head of the River and the Head of the Schoolgirls'. The crew combined with the girls' first varsity 4 to create a girls' first 8, winning the Head of the Schoolgirls' regatta.

While pursuing his master's degree, he led the rowing program at Claires Court School, helping develop the club to a solid foundation before moving to Oundle School, where he served as director of rowing for five years. While there, Oxlade oversaw Henley Women's Regatta finalists, Henley Royal Regatta appearances, three national championship medals, the 2005 national title along with two athletes selected to represent GB and England internationally.

He enjoyed success while coaching England's Junior Men's eight, guiding them to a gold medal each year from 2005-07.

As an athlete, Oxlade won multiple national championships medals, including gold in 1993. While studying for his bachelor's degree, he became Northern Universities Champion in the single scull, and was a trialist for the GB national team. He competed at Henley Royal Regatta multiple times, closing his competitive career at Maidenhead Rowing Club. He also served as president of the Northumbria University Boat Club from 1996-99 and coached the women's team at Newcastle University.

He earned his bachelor's degree in sport and exercise science from the University of Northumbria in 1999 and went on to complete his master's degree in physical education from the University of Surrey, Roehampton in 2002. In 2022, he earned a master's degree in sport administration for the University of Louisville.

Oxlade resides in south Louisville with his wife, Nicole, children Mason, Sterling and Lara along with Arlo (a black labradoodle)Piper and Indy (grey tabby and black cats).

University of Louisville Athletics

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