Kim Cupini of SMU named Tennessee rowing's new coach

Tennessee has hired Kim Cupini to be its new rowing coach, replacing Lisa Glenn who announced her retirement following 25 seasons with the program. 

Cupini had been the coach of SMU the past six years and was at Sand Diego for 10 seasons.

Tennessee did not release contract terms for Cupini.

"Kim has demonstrated the ability to build championship teams throughout her coaching career, and we are thrilled to welcome her to Knoxville," UT athletic director Danny White said in a school release Friday. "Her success in molding well-rounded student-athletes and seeing how she has taken her programs to new heights under her leadership is impressive. With Kim's outstanding coaching pedigree and success everywhere she has been, the sky is the limit for her potential in leading our program here on Rocky Top." 

At SMU, Cupini made three consecutive NCAA Championship appearances paired with three back-to-back conference titles in the American Athletic Conference. Her crews also were named AAC Boat of the Year three times while her staff was given AAC Staff of the Year for four seasons.

Cupini also coached eight All-AAC team rowers and two Pocock All-Americans.

With the Toreros, Cupini won four West Coast Conference titles and an NCAA Championship appearance. She also produced two WCC Newcomers, four WCC Coxswains and one WCC Rower of the Year. 

Cupini becomes the third UT coach in the program's 28-year history.

"It's undeniable that Tennessee Athletics has a vision and commitment to become one of the top rowing programs in the country, with an exceptional rowing venue on the river integrated into our campus," said Cupini. "We will work tirelessly to bring a championship-caliber program home and offer a first-class experience for the rowers. My passion is working with our student-athletes to achieve their top goals while creating an unbelievable culture they can remember long beyond their time on Rocky Top."

Cupini began her coaching career as an assistant at San Diego in 2004 and joined the staff Central Florida from 2005-07.

A native of Rochester, New York, she was a member of San Diego's rowing team from 2001-03.