Head Coach, John Kauffman: Varsity Boys Rowing

First-year Peddie varsity boys rowing coach John Kauffman learned to row at Bucknell University and came to love the sport so much that he knew he wanted it to be a part of his life after graduating.

He got his start coaching at a prep school in Dallas, which led him to realize his passion for teaching as well as coaching.

And it has now been just over 10 years he has been teaching and coaching since graduating from undergrad. Since then, he has coached high schools, club teams and universities on both the Division 3 and Division 1 levels.

Prior to coming to Peddie, he spent the past five years at Berwick Academy in Maine where he taught and was the director of the rowing program. Originally from Maryland, coming to Peddie meant being much closer to family. The close-knit relationships with his students and athletes that working at a boarding school provides greatly excited him and is a major reason for choosing Peddie.

“I was lucky enough to arrive just as the finishing touches were being put on the new erg rooms, not to mention the existing boathouse and rowing venue,” he said. “Having that kind of space and resources is a phenomenal asset and allows us to train to a high level and to accomplish our goals.”

Kauffman looks forward to watching his younger rowers grow in confidence and develop their abilities over time. He finds great satisfaction in seeing students strive toward becoming the best versions of themselves.

Rowing’s lifelong appeal is especially inspiring to Kauffmann.

“I hope to set up my rowers to not only find success but also share my love of rowing with those who will also be able to share that love throughout their lives,” he said. “I believe that, with consistent hard work, anyone can become a great rower.

Outside of Peddie, Kauffman is still an avid rower himself and can often be found in the erg room or out on Lake Mercer sculling. Otherwise, he loves to hear about what video games and television shows his rowers and students are into or walking his dog around campus.