Over the past few years, Jesuit Crew has seen several head coaches. The search for someone who could take the program to its full potential has led to a familiar face: Coach Eli Brown. 

BACKGROUND AND CREDENTIALS

Coach Eli has been with Jesuit Crew for several years, coaching both Varsity and Freshman. His career includes remarkable success with the class of ’24 freshmen as well as last fall’s varsity squad. Despite having to take a leave of absence to pursue his MBA, Coach Eli Brown is making an exciting return to coach the team. 

Brown has a wealth of experience and qualifications. He has raced in the World Rowing Championship, one of the most prestigious rowing competitions in the world. 

In addition to his coaching and racing experience, he coached 007 himself, Pierce Brosnan. He guided the iconic star to row as a recreational activity, finding peace in the calm of the water. (link)

“I remember him telling me “I’m just trying to row on the water. I don’t want to row hard, I just want to row.” That was the moment I learned that there is more to rowing than just racing. There are a lot more benefits than just winning.”  – Eli Brown

COACHING STYLE

At its core, crew teaches discipline, responsibility, and accountability. The teammates have no choice but to rely on one another to row efficiently, fostering a sense of unity and dedication in the rowers. Hence, when I asked Brown what motivated him to return to the team, he said: 

“What brought me back is definitely the community. I’ve been involved in rowing since 2009, and the people who are involved in the sport are just a different kind of person.”  – Eli Brown

For him, rowing is not just a sport but a way of life, and this sentiment shines through his coaching style. He seeks to foster a sense of teamwork, and personal development within the athletes. He has high hopes for the team, and he believes that with proper guidance, they will be able to reach their full unbridled potential. 

“I know that there’s a lot of interest in being in a successful position and I know that if they have the right guidance they’re going to accomplish whatever goals they set for themselves.” – Eli Brown

Under his direction, Coach Eli seeks to help the rowers identify their strengths and weaknesses, developing their skills by setting and accomplishing realistic goals. He wants to create an environment that fosters growth, a culture that is “inclusive, supportive, exciting, and engaging.” Through his coaching, he hopes to help the team members stay motivated, leading them to reach their ambitions.

“I want everyone to feel that they’re on a team that they like to be a part of and want to help others experience.” – Eli Brown

FUTURE PLANS

Because of the team’s previous inability to find a new head coach, there was a sense of insecurity and volatility within the program. Brown’s goal for this season is to establish a sense of consistency. He wants the rowers to feel proud of being on the team and to look forward to practices every day.

“Right now, the unfortunate truth is that it has been very unstable. One of the ways that I want to create that spirit of excitement is to certify that I am here for long, not here for short.” – Eli Brown

In response to how he plans on creating this sense of stability, Brown firmly stated:

“I’ll walk through the door and I’ll be present.” – Eli Brown

Brown is confident that he can achieve these goals by creating a positive and supportive environment, having a clear and consistent coaching philosophy, and developing a strong team culture. He believes that when rowers feel good about themselves and their team, they are more likely to be successful.

“For upcoming regattas, the main goal is to establish expectations, confidence, and excitement for being on the team… For the first regatta, the goal is to race down the course and have the best race they know they can have and to come off the water, knowing that they put everything they could into it.” – Eli Brown

CONCLUSION

The team’s passion for Brown’s return is clear as a new attitude of optimism and excitement abound.

“I am really excited about Coach Eli’s return for a number of reasons. First of all, he makes us faster. Every time we had, we had a lot of success. Last fall was the most successful season I’ve had under Jesuit crew and it was under his coaching. Beyond that, he is not just worried about making us faster rowers, but he is also worried about making us better people. He always talks about helping us grow as individuals and you can really see it in the way he interacts with us, in and out of practice.” – Dawson Zavala

Dawson Zavala ’24, the team’s captain, said. Brown is clearly committed to helping his athletes reach their full potential. Zavala notes that how Coach Eli is committed to the holistic development of his athletes, seeing the sport as an opportunity for people to grow and develop as individuals.

“I am so excited that Coach Eli is back. Because of his rigorous practices and coaching style, I am looking forward to winning some races.” – Matthew Firley

Matthew Firley ’25, one of the team’s rowers added as well, emphasizing the united sense of thrill for Brown’s return.

Coach Eli knows the team and the program inside and out. He brings a clear sense of stability and continuity that the team has been lacking in recent years and the team is confident that they can achieve great things under his guidance.

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