Montia Rice

Title

Head Rowing Coach
Email

mrice11@uco.edu
Phone

405-974-2977

Montia Rice took over Central Oklahoma's rowing program in the fall of 2016 and vaulted the Bronchos to the top of NCAA Division II.

He guided the Bronchos to their first national championship in just his second year at the helm. Rice led UCO to the pinnacle in 2018, coaching the Varsity 8+ boat to its second straight gold medal finish at the national championships and the Varsity 4+ boat to a silver medal finish, enough to earn the Broncho rowers the team title.

Rice then continued that dominating trend in 2019, leading Central to its second national title in as many years. The Bronchos swept their way to a title this past spring, winning the V8+ title for a third straight season and the V4+ title for the first time in program history. UCO earned a maximum 30 team points to take the crown.

Rice led UCO to a runner-up finish in the 2017 – his first season with the Bronchos – finishing just one point behind in the team race while the eights won a national title for the first time.

Central Oklahoma has had seven All-American selections in two season suner Rice.

Montia assumed control of the program after serving as UCO's assistant coach the previous two seasons.

Rice came to UCO in July of 2014 and worked heavily in recruiting while also coaching the novice team 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 the past 17 years and has been coaching for the last nine years. Coming to Central from Jacksonville University, Rice brings a unique perspective having previously coached the JU Men.

Montia was the head men’s coach for two years and assistant men’s coach for one. Under his leadership JU won three state championships in a row. His Freshman 8 finished runner-up at the Southern Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships and won The Dad Vail Regatta.

The Varsity 8s made both finals at SIRAs and won the petite final at Dad Vails. Rice also oversaw the University of Florida Crew Club for four years after having started his coaching career at Jacksonville, his alma mater, as a volunteer coach.

Originially from Enid, Oklahoma and a product of St. Augustine Prep School in Richland, N.J., Rice was a four-year rowing standout at Jacksonville. He won titles at both the FIRAs and SIRA championships as well as medaling at Dad Vails during his career and graduated from JU in 2006 with a history degree.