Steve Casey joins OCC men's crew coaching staff
Orange Coast College men's crew has recently added the services of former rower Steve Casey to become a new assistant coach for the Pirates, according to head coach Paul Prioleau.
Casey, who rowed for the Pirates under Dave Grant in 1994-95, will take over the duties of former assistant coach Pat Gleason, who recently has been named the head coach at UC Irvine.
Following his Coast career, Casey went on to compete at the University of San Diego, where he rowed on the varsity for two years until graduation.
Casey began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Oregon State before moving back to San Diego to coach the USD freshmen. From there, Casey moved on to the University of Central Florida, where he served as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for two years.
Following that, Casey became the head coach and rowing program director at the Pine Crest School, located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
At Pine Crest, Casey inherited a program with about 25 athletes and over the past seven years, he built the program to its present size of approximately 105 athletes. Steve implemented a very successful summer camp program, and undertook a fundraising campaign that culminated last year with the completion of a $1 million expansion to their boathouse. The Pine Crest program is now one of the most successful in Florida, and they have sent many of their rowers to top Ivy League rowing programs over the years.
"His experience is showing through right away, as I have been impressed with the clear, simple way he teaches the finer points of technique," Prioleau said. "I am looking forward to having Steve on our coaching staff and think he will be a great compliment to the program."
