Q&A with Rowing Assistant Muhl

Aug. 11, 2008

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma introduces its newest sport this spring, women's rowing. First year head coach Leeanne Crain has recently completed her coaching staff and new assistant Kris Muhl sat down with Soonersports.com to answer questions about the new program and his personal interests.

Tell Sooner fans your background.
"I was born in Athens, Ga., on July 5, 1974, but I grew up in Brookings, S.D., and Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. I went to The University of Iowa and I started coaching my senior year with the men's club. I continued coaching at Northwestern University while working on my MBA at Loyola University Chicago. I moved back to Iowa, working in mergers and acquisitions for a telecommunications company and continued coaching the club at Iowa.

"I decided that coaching was what I'd like to pursue and continued at Iowa for a period of time until I was given the opportunity to work with Steve Gladstone and Geoff Bond at the University of California. I was able to learn from the women's coaches Dave O'Neill and Sara Nevin, as well. It was very exciting and educational to work with that program. It was a unique time to be there, with the men and women both having such success. I decided to pursue coaching women's rowing, and I am very grateful to coach (Leeanne) Crain for giving me that opportunity."

What attracted you to rowing?
"I was pretty bored with school and was looking for something to help keep me interested. A friend of mine was at The University of Nebraska and was with the club team there. I figured I would give it a shot and I have been involved ever since." What drew you to Oklahoma? "Coach Crain and the outstanding reputation of OU athletics and (Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics) Joe Castiglione."

How are you adapting to Oklahoma?
"Having grown up in the Midwest, Oklahoma is very familiar to me. I really have enjoyed Norman and I am impressed at how genuine and friendly people have been."

Do you expect rowing to pick up interest in Oklahoma soon?
"Absolutely. In fact, I would say it already has. When my previous team was competing at the Head of the Oklahoma I spoke with some people with no knowledge of rowing, but were there for the Oklahoma centennial celebration and wanted to see what rowing was all about. What is happening in Oklahoma City and the rest of the country will only increase interest in the sport and raise the level of competition."

What is your favorite aspect of rowing?
"It is a sport that you can learn in a relatively short period of time. It can be done individually or with a team, and if you wish to pursue the sport you can spend a lifetime and still be working to improve your ability."

What is your most memorable rowing experience?
"There are a lot of possible ways to answer this. Being an assistant coach for a team that won repeated conference and national championships is certainly a great experience. But helping student-athletes grow and develop as leaders is probably the most rewarding part of the whole coaching experience."

What other sports are you interested in?
"All sports. Any sport will hold my attention for some period of time. I also enjoy swimming and watching water polo. Soccer, softball and baseball are also fun to watch. I spent a year in Brazil in high school as an exchange student. I say I learned how to play soccer, but my skill level is minimal. I enjoy bicycling, hiking, running and watching NASCAR. I could just keep listing for a while."

What is your favorite restaurant in Norman?
"I have only been here a few weeks, but so far my favorite is Café Plaid."

What is your favorite professional sports team?
"The Green Bay Packers."

What is your favorite book?
"This could change tomorrow, but today I'll say The Lord of the Rings trilogy is what would come to mind. The Fountainhead and Notes on Rowing have also been on my list in the past."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors