Matt Weise serves as the head coach of the Cal Poly Humboldt women's rowing program, bringing a culture of technical precision, academic excellence, and championship success to Northern California. Since taking over the Lumberjacks in 2020, Weise has established Humboldt as a national powerhouse in NCAA Division II. Under his guidance, the program remains dedicated to the holistic development of student-athletes, fostering growth academically, athletically, and for a lifetime.
During his tenure, the Lumberjacks reached the pinnacle of the sport by capturing the 2023 NCAA Division II National Championship, a historic run featuring dominant first-place finishes from both the Varsity 8+ and Varsity 4+ boats. Weise has kept the program among the nation's elite, securing back-to-back NCAA National Runner-Up finishes in 2025 and 2026. His leadership has earned him Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) Coach of the Year honors in 2023, 2025, and 2026. The Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) recognized him as national coach of the year in 2023. Under his mentorship, Humboldt has produced CRCA First-Team All-Americans Dana Foley (2023, 2024), Kealey Scott (2025), Emily Marsolais (2025), and Ellie Walters (2026), as well as Second-Team All-Americans Cassidy Hollenbeck (2023), Emily Marsolais (2024), and River Walkington (2026).
Prior to arriving at Humboldt, Weise spent 15 seasons as the Head Women’s Rowing Coach at his alma mater, Michigan State University, transforming the Spartans into a national force in NCAA Division I. Under his direction, MSU captured three Big Ten team championships, including back-to-back crowns in 2008 and 2009, alongside a Central Region Championship. He guided the Spartans to seven NCAA Championship appearances, highlighted by four program-best sixth-place team finishes in 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2011. A three-time Big Ten Coach of the Year and two-time Regional Coach of the Year, Weise developed 11 All-Americans, five Big Ten Athletes of the Year, and three Big Ten Freshmen of the Year, while steering the Varsity Eight to four consecutive conference gold medals. He also established an elite international pipeline, coaching six athletes who advanced to the U.S. or Canadian National Teams, including an Olympic gold medalist and four-time world champion, and a U-23 World Champion.
Weise holds the rare distinction of shaping the Michigan State varsity program from its very roots. After competing as a student-athlete for the Spartans' club team, he spent seven seasons as an assistant coach, during which he authored the specific proposal that successfully elevated MSU women's rowing to varsity status. His coaching philosophy is deeply informed by his academic background; he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physics and a secondary teaching certificate from Michigan State in 1992 and a Master of Science in Physical Education and Exercise Science in 1997, specializing in Biomechanics. This unique expertise allows him to blend scientific precision with competitive drive, cementing his reputation as one of the top rowing mentors in the country.
