Costas Ciungan joined USD men’s rowing as Assistant Coach in October 2025.
A native of Grosse Ile, Mich., Ciungan comes to USD after stints with the Colgate men’s team and the Michigan State women’s team, with whom he served as the boatman and rigger for three years. In his second year at MSU, Ciungan – who is a level II USRowing certified coach – coached for the Spartans, working mainly with the JV squad and fours group.
Prior to that, Ciungan was Assistant Coach for the Grand Valley State men's rowing club in Allendale, Mich. During his stint at GVSU as a coach, Ciungan played a key role in the continued development of the team and in maintaining a strong rowing tradition. While coaching at GVSU, Ciungan completed a Master's degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in Public Management.
In Spring 2015, Ciungan working with a historic and national recognized Head Coach John Bancheri, had a men’s novice 8+ win a silver medal at the American Collegiate Rowing Association National Championship regatta. That crew would finish second to Michigan with a time of 6:09.9 – the fastest any novice men’s team had ever gone in this history of the program.
During his summers at Grand Valley State, Ciungan served as head coach of the Wyandotte boat club in Wyandotte, Michigan after being inspired by his former high school coach Scott Sitek. Serving as director of rowing, Ciungan operated and maintained one of the largest high school boathouses in the state. Ciungan played a key role in the development of young rowing athletes, providing them insight in their ability to grow and compete at the next level.
After graduating from GVSU with a Bachelor's degree in Legal Studies and Criminal Justice and a minor in Information Technology in 2015, Ciungan joined the staff at GVSU as an assistant coach from 2015-18. While serving as an assistant coach, Ciungan helped in the development of novice rowers and played a huge role in recruiting for the Lakers. Ciungan has also coached for the Detroit Women's Rowing Association in Detroit and Northview High School in western Michigan.
As an athlete, Ciungan was a four-year rower for the Grand Valley Rowing Club (2011-15) and served as team president during his senior campaign. Ciungan accomplished many feats during his four years with the Lakers, including silver medals at the SIRA Championship Regatta, the MACRA Championship Regatta and the 74th annual Dad Vail Championship Regatta. He represented GVSU in the Temple Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta in England in 2013. In addition, he was part of an eight-man crew that won the 2013 San Diego Crew Classic American Cal Cup championship during his junior year.
