Kansas Rowing Makes Significant Coaching Changes; Morning Call, August 13

The Jayhawks, in pursuit of their first rowing national title since 2002, are banking on a staff change to provide the necessary boost to an already talent-packed roster.

The University of Kansas Jayhawks women s rowing team trains at sunrise, Jan. 8, 2024, on Tempe Town Lake in Arizona. The temperature was 34 degrees. / © Mark Henle/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Kansas Rowing bolstered its staff with the addition of two new hires, announced by Head Coach Carrie Cook-Callen on Monday. Riane Soash joins the team as an assistant coach, while Justin Perry takes on the role of Boathouse Director, bringing a wealth of experience to the program.

Soash, a Manhattan, Kansas native, returns to her home state after a recent stint with USRowing, where she served as a RowFest Operations Intern. In that role, she oversaw key aspects of event management, including on-water operations, learning sessions, and community engagement initiatives. Soash’s journey in rowing began with the Riversport OKC Rowing Team, leading her to compete at Old Dominion University. A standout both on and off the water, she earned spots on the C-USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll and the American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team in 2021. After graduating with a degree in Sports Management, Soash returned to Old Dominion as a student-athlete academic services assistant, managing a large group of athletes.

Perry, meanwhile, brings valuable experience from his three seasons at the University of Iowa, where he served as the Boatwright and Rowing Operations Assistant. At Iowa, Perry was responsible for managing all aspects of rowing equipment and logistics, from travel gear to spare parts and inventory.

Did you Notice?

• Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels seems to be pretty fired up at fall camp.

Ranked and ready for August 29 to get here ASAP @KU_Football pic.twitter.com/xF6IcwCIxv

— Kansas Jayhawks (@KUAthletics) August 12, 2024

• Kansas head coach Lance Leipold isn't letting the news of a preseason top 25 nomination get to his team's head.

HC Lance Leipold on his Jayhawks ranking No. 22 in the AP preseason poll 👇

"It doesn't mean much, especially as we get close to kicking off, but I also have to make sure it does mean something."

It's the first time @KU_Football's landed in the preseason poll since 2009. pic.twitter.com/j7j8XYkvoN

— Caroline Soro (@caroline_soro) August 12, 2024

• Kansas basketball officially announced the signing of Northern Illinois transfer guard David Coit on Monday.

Welcome to the Jayhawks 🤝#RockChalk x @diggycoit11 pic.twitter.com/yNPmGZvpkS

— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) August 12, 2024

Countdown to Kansas' 2024 Football Season Opener:

16 days.

Check out our social media...

• X (formerly known as Twitter): @JayhawksOnSI
• Facebook: Kansas Jayhawks On Si
• YouTube