PHILADELPHIA – Al Monte, who has served the past eight years as Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at Dartmouth College, has been named the Nicholas B. Paumgarten Head Coach of Men's Heavyweight Rowing at Penn. Monte has helped lead Dartmouth's historic rise at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) National Championships, with the Big Green finishing third in 2021 and fifth in 2022. During that time, Dartmouth won the Clayton W. Chapman Trophy—awarded to the most improved team at IRAs—in 2017 and again in 2021.
 
"Al's history of success at an Ivy institution, which has made a steady climb in the men's heavyweight rowing rankings, made him our top choice to lead our program moving forward," said Shanahan. "His local ties from Philadelphia's Roman Catholic High School and Boathouse Row, and in our state as the former Bucknell head coach, were also appealing. We believe with the renovation to our boathouse on the Schuylkill River and Al's leadership, the future of Penn men's heavyweight rowing will continue to be bright."
 
As Dartmouth's primary recruiter, Monte helped bring in some of the strongest classes in the program's history, which culminated in a third-place finish at the Eastern Sprints last spring. He was part of the Intercollegiate Rowing Coaches Association Coaching Staff of the Year in 2021 at Dartmouth and coached the Big Green to multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals at the Head of the Charles, Princeton Chase, Eastern Sprints, and IRA National Championship in all boat classes. In 2019, he coached the USA U23 Men's Pair to a ninth-place finish at the FISA World Rowing U23 Championships.
 
"To be part of the rich and storied rowing tradition at Penn is the honor of a lifetime and I am thrilled to lead this generation of Penn oarsmen into the future," Monte said. "Thank you to Alanna Shanahan, (Associate AD and sport administrator) Matt Valenti, and the stewards of Penn rowing for their confidence in me and their commitment to pushing Penn Rowing to greater heights. I can't wait to get started!"
 
Prior to arriving at Dartmouth in 2014, Monte was the head men's rowing coach at Bucknell for three years. He was named the 2012 American Collegiate Rowing Association (ACRA) National Coach of the Year, and in 2014 all Bison boats made the finals of the Knecht Cup, Dad Vail, ECAC and ACRA regattas. He arrived at Bucknell in 2008 as the program's assistant coach and recruiting coordinator and led the Bison Freshmen 8+ to gold at the ECAC (NIRC) championship in 2011.
 
Monte is no stranger to coaching on Boathouse Row where he has led programs at Fairmount Rowing Association and Vesper Boat Club. At Vesper in 2011 and 2012, Monte served as head coach for the senior and under 23 men and led his crews to multiple titles at the USRowing National Championships and Royal Canadian Henley Regatta.
 
During his time on the US rowing scene, Monte was an eight-time USRowing national champion, a two-time Royal Canadian Henley winner, and has experience rowing on the United States National Team. He represented the USA at the 2003 World Rowing Junior Championships in Athens, Greece and in 2006 he was invited to the World Rowing Under 23 Championships Selection Camp.
 
A Philadelphia native, Monte graduated from Roman Catholic High School in 2003. He then went on to the College of the Holy Cross, where he was a team captain and four-year letter winner. Monte was a member of the Crusaders' Varsity Eight for four years, stroking the boat to a historic best finish at the 2005 EARC Sprints. He graduated in 2007 with a bachelor's in history.
 
What They Are Saying About Al Monte…
"Penn has made a great hire in Al Monte. He's been integral part of the program we've built together here in Hanover over the last eight years and will be a great leader for the Penn Heavies. He's a skilled coach, an effective recruiter, and most importantly he will be a fantastic mentor and role model for his student-athletes."
Wyatt Allen, Head Coach of Heavyweight Rowing, Dartmouth
 
"Al Monte is a very good coach who understands how to identify and execute on the essential details that create speed in our sport. He is a great recruiter, he is an excellent teacher, and he has meaningful relationships with his athletes. Additionally, he understands program building and will effectively partner with the administration and those supporting Penn rowing. I know Al well, he is a serious coach who will positively impact the student-athlete experience and their performance on and off the water. This is a great hire and I'm excited for Al and my friends who are avid supporters of the team."
Paul Bugenhagen, Head Coach, Hobart

"It's really exciting to add Al to our staff here at Penn. I'm eager to work with him to build the culture of Penn Rowing and help continue to drive us forward as a team. Al brings a ton of great experience with him, is a demonstrated hard worker, and most importantly, is a Schuylkill veteran! The Heavyweight Crew is in good hands."
Colin Farrell, Fred W. Leonard Head Coach of Lightweight Rowing, Penn

?"I'm looking forward to working closely with Al. We first worked together coaching at the Vesper Boat Club, and it was clear that his vision and passion energized the entire program. With his wealth of experience, teaching mentality, and proven ability to drive a thriving team culture, Al will do amazing things at Penn."
Wesley Ng, Head Women's Rowing Coach, Penn