Cian Noone named head coach of men’s rowing

Connecticut College has hired Cian Noone as head coach of the men’s rowing program, Director of Athletics Mo White announced today. 

Noone will make his collegiate head coaching debut with the Camels. Most recently, he served as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for men’s rowing at Bates College.

“We are excited to add Cian to our coaching staff,” said White. “During the interview process, it became apparent that his experience as a recruiter, as well as his ties within the rowing community, will help to build on the foundation that is already in place at Connecticut College. Having worked with some of the country’s top coaches, he’s ready for the challenges of running his own program, and I’m confident that he is the right person to take the Camels to the next level.”

Noone was named assistant men’s rowing coach at Bates in August 2021. In two seasons with the Bobcats, he led all recruiting efforts and assisted with practices and team operations. He also played a pivotal role in preparing the men’s team for the IRA National Championship while the head coach was with the women’s team at the NCAA Championship. This past season, the Bobcats placed third in the country at the IRA National Championship and had two rowers named first team All-America by the Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association (IRCA). The first varsity eight took home a bronze medal at the event, the first IRA medal in program history. At the end of this past season, Noone was recognized by the IRCA with the D3 Staff of the Year Award. 

Originally from Dublin, Ireland, Noone has worked in numerous programs beginning with Neptune Rowing Club, where he learned to row and coach. He coached the junior men’s team at Neptune in 2014 before eventually joining Trinity College Dublin’s coaching staff, where he worked as a varsity assistant and head novice coach in 2016. This culminated with a national title in the novice women’s 8+ for Trinity before he moved to America the next season to coach with Arlington Belmont (Mass.) Crew and Riverside Boat Club.

At Arlington Belmont Crew, Noone assumed the role of varsity boys head coach and the team finished the 2017-2018 season as Massachusetts Public Schools champions in the varsity 8+. With Riverside Boat Club, Noone coached a number of programs, including masters, scullers and juniors. During this time, the masters team won multiple medals at both Canadian Henley and the Head of the Charles. 

In August 2018, Noone became assistant coach for lightweight men and open women at Mercyhurst University. The team had a successful run in his first season, culminating in four Dad Vail championships and the team’s first grand final appearance at the IRAs in the lightweight four event. After Mercyhurst, Noone spent a year as the boys’ varsity head coach at Oklahoma City Riversport and volunteer assistant at Oklahoma City University Rowing before taking the assistant role at Bates. He also served as an assistant coach for the New York Athletic Club men’s U23 program in 2021.

“I’d like to thank Mo White and everyone at Connecticut College for this tremendous opportunity,” Noone said. “I remember being 22 years old on a flight to America and not really knowing what I was getting myself into, but hoping for a chance like this all along. I fully intend to make the most of it. I can’t overstate how excited I am to join the Connecticut College community and get to work with the team on the Thames.”