SAN DIEGO — San Diego women's rowing head coach David Cormier on Thursday morning announced his departure from the Torero program to pursue other professional endeavors.

"We are incredibly grateful for the impact David has had on our women's rowing program," said USD Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Athletics Kimya Massey. "Over the last two years as head coach, David has built a strong culture within the program, raised the standard for women's rowing at USD, and positioned the team to continue its upward trajectory. His dedication to developing our student-athletes both on and off the water has been significant, and we wish him nothing but success as he takes the next step in his professional journey."

Cormier was named the 11th head coach in program history and the seventh in USD women's rowing's West Coast Conference era in September 2022. He had previously served as the Toreros' assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, beginning his time in San Diego in 2019.

USD placed second in the WCC Championships in each of his two years at the helm, and captured the Cal Cup for the first time since 2010 at the 2023 San Diego Fall Classic. Five Toreros earned All-WCC honors under Cormier, including Grace Kauffmann being named the 2024 WCC Newcomer of the Year and Emma Zavala being named the 2024 Co-Coxswain of the Year this spring. Another 28 of Cormier's athletes took home All-WCC Academic honors during his tenure in Alcala Park.

Cormier's team set forth strong results in all three of its events this fall, culminating in a first-place finish by the USD First Varsity 4+ at the Head of the American Regatta in Sacramento and a fourth-place finish out of 50 boats by the USD Club Four at the Head of the Charles in Boston.

"I have absolutely loved my time here at USD," Cormier said on Thursday. "It's been a privilege spending the last five years working with the amazing members of this program and watching them grow as athletes, students, and, most importantly, people." 

"I am so proud of what our program has accomplished, and I feel that it is only the beginning of what this team is capable of," Cormier added. "As I move on from coaching to pursue other career opportunities, I am looking forward to cheering the team on and celebrating all their future successes. I'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the athletic department, especially Dan Yourg, Kimya Massey, JoAnn Vallese, and my fellow coaches — Mark Lewis, Charlotte Smith, Sailor Hawes, and Megan Kalmoe. Most importantly, I want to thank every athlete who put their trust in me as their coach. I would not be the person I am today without all of you."

Associate head coach Mark Lewis has been elevated to interim head coach following Cormier's departure and will lead the program through the remainder of the 2024-2025 season.

A seasoned professional with a wealth of rowing experience, Lewis came to USD in October of 2022 from the East Coast, where he served as the head rowing coach at both Hollis Brookline Cavaliers Crew (September 2013-November 2022) and UMass Lowell (September 2013-January 2020). 

Lewis, who was promoted to USD's associate head coaching position in this July after previously serving as an assistant coach for the Toreros, began his coaching career in America after a 15-plus year international rowing career competing in both Lightweight and Heavyweight, Junior and Senior, 8s, 4+, 4--, 4x and 2-, including The Commonwealth Regatta, Henley Royal Regatta, British National Championships, and Belgium National Championships.

"Since taking over as head coach more than two years ago, Dave has led the program to not only its first win at the San Diego Crew Classic in 10 years but also its highest finishes at the Head of the Charles in Boston, with the Eight finishing sixth and the Four earning a medal in fourth place," said Lewis. "I'm excited to continue building on the direction Dave has taken the program and to work with such a talented group of young athletes."