The University of Pennsylvania has announced the appointment of Josie Konopka as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for its women’s rowing team. She replaces Kumari Lewis, who has moved on to become the head coach at the University of Alabama.
Konopka returns to Boathouse Row, having previously had an All-America career with Penn and serving as an assistant coach during the 2023-24 season. Head coach Bill Manning expressed enthusiasm about her return, stating, “Josie and her teammates elevated Penn Women’s Rowing as determined, ambitious, and highly successful athletes.”
Konopka is eager to contribute again to her alma mater. “I’m thrilled to return to my alma mater to work with Bill, Allyson, and this exceptional group of young women,” she said.
Last year, Konopka was an assistant coach at the University of Virginia, helping them achieve a tenth-place finish at the NCAA Championship. Before that, during her time with Penn in 2023-24, the team qualified for their third consecutive NCAA Championships.
Her rowing career includes being a two-year captain for Penn and earning first-team All-America honors twice. Her family also shares a deep connection with Penn rowing; her father Bruce was a prominent rower and coach at Penn.
Konopka’s return adds another chapter to her family’s long-standing involvement with Penn rowing.
