Princeton University Athletics
Sergio Espinoza Named Heavyweight Rowing Assistant Coach
October 31, 2025 | Heavyweight Rowing
PRINCETON, N.J. – Sergio Espinoza has been named Assistant Coach of the Princeton University heavyweight rowing team, as announced by Head Coach Greg Hughes Friday.
Espinoza joins the Tigers after spending nine seasons on staff at the University of Washington.
"I am so excited to have Sergio joining our staff here at the Princeton boathouse," said Hughes. "He has a proven record of success, and he is bringing a level of knowledge that will have a immediate impact on every rower and coach in our program."
Espinoza led domestic and international recruiting efforts for five Pac-12 championships and two Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) Championships.
"I'm excited to jump in and build on the momentum with the team," said Espinoza. "Everyone has been so welcoming, from the coaches to the athletes. I'm looking forward to a fun year."
At UW, Espinoza coached the freshmen from 2019-2024, instilling strong values and work ethic. From 2019-2024, he recruited the national championship squad which swept IRAs in 2024. Espinoza coached the IRA and Pac-12 Champion 3V8+ and freshman 8+ in 2021 and also coached the IRA and Pac-12 Champion 3V8+ in 2019. In 2018 Espinoza coached the IRA Champion 3V8+ and Pac-12 Runner Up Freshman 8+, and in 2017 coached the Pac-12 Champion Men's Coxed Four.
In addition, Espinoza has served as the U23 USA Men's National Team Head Coach and the Head Scout for the men and women. In 2025, Espinoza coached the U23 M4- to its first even gold medal and led USA to a silver medal in the 8+ along with a gold medal in the 4+, the best finish since 2018. In 2019 he coached the men's 4+ to a sixth-place finish and in 2023 coached the men's 2- to a 10th-place finish. 2018 saw Espinoza coach the men's 4+ to a gold medal, which was the first ever for the USA in that boat class.
Espinoza joined the UW men's rowing program in 2016 after spent the summer as an intern rowing coach for the U.S. Junior National Team where he assisted with camp logistics, led video accumulation and dissemination efforts, and coached small boats.
Espinoza spent the previous five summers coaching at the River City Rowing Club in West Sacramento, California. There he coached junior high and high school students who now compete at collegiate rowing powerhouses such as Washington, Harvard, and Brown.
Espinoza spent four years on the University of Puget Sound rowing program, where he was a three-year captain of the men's varsity team. In addition to rowing at UPS, he earned his B.S. in exercise science and served as president of his fraternity during his senior year.
Espinoza joins the Tigers after spending nine seasons on staff at the University of Washington.
"I am so excited to have Sergio joining our staff here at the Princeton boathouse," said Hughes. "He has a proven record of success, and he is bringing a level of knowledge that will have a immediate impact on every rower and coach in our program."
Espinoza led domestic and international recruiting efforts for five Pac-12 championships and two Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) Championships.
"I'm excited to jump in and build on the momentum with the team," said Espinoza. "Everyone has been so welcoming, from the coaches to the athletes. I'm looking forward to a fun year."
At UW, Espinoza coached the freshmen from 2019-2024, instilling strong values and work ethic. From 2019-2024, he recruited the national championship squad which swept IRAs in 2024. Espinoza coached the IRA and Pac-12 Champion 3V8+ and freshman 8+ in 2021 and also coached the IRA and Pac-12 Champion 3V8+ in 2019. In 2018 Espinoza coached the IRA Champion 3V8+ and Pac-12 Runner Up Freshman 8+, and in 2017 coached the Pac-12 Champion Men's Coxed Four.
In addition, Espinoza has served as the U23 USA Men's National Team Head Coach and the Head Scout for the men and women. In 2025, Espinoza coached the U23 M4- to its first even gold medal and led USA to a silver medal in the 8+ along with a gold medal in the 4+, the best finish since 2018. In 2019 he coached the men's 4+ to a sixth-place finish and in 2023 coached the men's 2- to a 10th-place finish. 2018 saw Espinoza coach the men's 4+ to a gold medal, which was the first ever for the USA in that boat class.
Espinoza joined the UW men's rowing program in 2016 after spent the summer as an intern rowing coach for the U.S. Junior National Team where he assisted with camp logistics, led video accumulation and dissemination efforts, and coached small boats.
Espinoza spent the previous five summers coaching at the River City Rowing Club in West Sacramento, California. There he coached junior high and high school students who now compete at collegiate rowing powerhouses such as Washington, Harvard, and Brown.
Espinoza spent four years on the University of Puget Sound rowing program, where he was a three-year captain of the men's varsity team. In addition to rowing at UPS, he earned his B.S. in exercise science and served as president of his fraternity during his senior year.
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