University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

Montia Rice promoted to head rowing coach

11/2/2016 11:28:00 AM | By: Chris Brannick

Montia Rice has been an assistant coach with UCO for the past two seasons.

EDMOND – Montia Rice has been named head coach of Central Oklahoma's highly successful women's rowing team, Athletic Director Joe Muller announced Wednesday.

"Montia has be a vital part of this program and contributed as much to our success as anyone," Muller said. "I am looking forward to him leading this program to new heights in the years ahead."

Rice has been the assistant rowing coach for the past two seasons. He was crucial in the Bronchos not only making it to the past two NCAA Championships, but finishing national runners up last spring.

"I'm very excited to be given this opportunity to coach such hardworking and dedicated athletes," Rice said. "I want to thank Joe Muller and (Senior Women's Administrator) Britni Brannon for entrusting the team and all the responsibility that comes with it to me. This year we are looking to push to the next level, while building off of the programs past success, both athletically and academically."

Andy Derrick resigned last month from his post as head coach at UCO to take the same position at Seattle Pacific University.

Rice joined the Central staff in July of 2014. He has worked diligently in recruiting for the Bronchos, as well as working with the novice roster, and the Varsity 4.

Under Rice's leadership last year, the Varsity 4 finished in second place at the NCAA national championships. That finish helped the Bronchos secure enough points to finish second overall.

In his first year as an assistant, Rice led the Varsity 4 to a fourth-place finish at nationals. He also led the novice Bronchos to a second-place showing at the Dad Vail Regatta, a premiere event in Philadelphia, Pa.

Rice has been involved in rowing for almost 20 years, and has been coaching in the sport for the past nine years. That all came after a standout career with Jacksonville, where he won titles at both the FIRA and SIRA championships.

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