Matt Oclander was named the PLU Head Women's Rowing Coach in the summer of 2024.
We're excited to welcome Matt to Luteville," said Athletic Director Mike Snyder.
"The PLU women's rowing program has a rich history of success within the conference and on the national stage. Matt's experience working with nationally competitive programs at the collegiate and club level along with his local ties make him uniquely suited for the position. We can't wait to see the positive impact Matt will have on our Lute student-athletes as we look to remain one of the premier rowing programs on the west coast."
Under Oclander's direction the Lutes qualified for the 2025 NCAA Division III Championships for the first time since 2022 with the squad placing eighth in the nation at the regatta held in West Windsor, New Jersey. Oclander was named the CRCA Pacific Region Coach of the Year while his staff was tabbed the CRCA Pacific Region Staff of the Year. He coached boats that won Northwest Conference Crew of the Week honors three times during the 2025 spring racing season and had two rowers earn All-NWC status and six land CRCA Scholar-Athlete honors.
Oclander joins Luteville with considerable coaching experience, including spending the previous two years as Head Coach at the Renton Rowing Center. While there, Oclander helped the team qualify for the Northwest Regional Finals in 2022-2023, including a bronze medal in the W1x.
Oclander spent four seasons as an assistant at Division II Seattle Pacific University. His time saw the Falcons finish sixth as a team at the 2022 NCAA Division II Championships and third at the 2023 Championships.
"I'm honored to join PLU as its new head coach," said Oclander.
"PLU rowing has a rich tradition of excellence on and off the water, and the support that these students have from their administration and community drew me to this position. I look forward to leading this program into its next chapter, as we work to make it back to the top of the Northwest Conference and back to the NCAA Championships."
Prior to SPU, Oclander was an assistant coach at Division I Seattle University, guiding the Redhawk's Novice Eight boat to a WIRA Championship in 2017. Additional coaching stops include Bothell High School, Oklahoma City Riversport, Green Lake Crew, Resilient Rowing Club, and the Northern Virginia Rowing Club. Under his direction, OKC Riversport won multiple Central Region Youth Championships and a silver medal at the 2018 USRowing Youth National Championships.
"I want to thank Mike Snyder, Andy Foltz, and the rest of the search committee for entrusting the stewardship of this program to me. I also want to thank all the coaches, administrators, and students I met while going through the interview process. Lastly, I want to recognize all of my mentors, colleagues, and student-athletes at Seattle Pacific, Renton, OKC, and elsewhere who formed my coaching career up to this point. I wouldn't be taking this big step without the experiences I shared with them."
As a collegian, Oclander rowed as Seattle Pacific, serving as team captain for two seasons. Oclander earned a degree in political science from SPU and holds Level 2 and 3 Coaching Certifications from USRowing.
"Look out for the Lutes on the race course, in the classroom, in the PNW rowing community, and on the recruiting trail!"
