To continue reading…
This article is exclusively for Rowing News subscribers. For as little as $5 a month, you can get access to the best quality, independent reporting on all the issues that matter to the North American rowing community.
Already a subscriber? Login
Bill Manning, who has served as the head women’s rowing coach at Penn for the past two seasons, is resigning his position to prioritize his health.
Manning told Rowing News he will return to coaching after he recovers.
“Earlier this year I was diagnosed with skin cancer,” Manning said. “Treatments are going well and I’m getting world-class care at Penn Medicine. I’m not in any immediate danger, but I do need to take better care of myself and prioritize my health. Stepping away from coaching at this time is necessary for a full recovery.”
“Our foremost priority is always the health and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and staff,” Alanna Wren, the T. Gibbs Kane, Jr. W’69 Director of Athletics and Recreation said. “We fully support Bill’s decision to step away at this time to focus on his health and recovery, and our thoughts are with him as he continues his treatment. We are grateful for the leadership that he has shown over the past two seasons, guiding our women’s rowing program and maintaining a standard of excellence both on and off the water.”
Manning led Penn to its fourth straight NCAA appearance in 2025. Four Penn student-athletes earned All-Ivy honors in Manning’s two seasons at the helm. Before Penn, he coached the high-performance group at Penn AC. Manning previously spent 23 years as a coach at both Princeton and Harvard and has coached numerous nation team boats.
Penn has launched a national search to find the next leader of the women’s rowing program.
