Austin WORK — head coach
Austin Work has been a part of the rowing community for most of his life, starting his rowing career At Salisbury school (Salisbury, CT). he then attended and rowed for Lewis and Clark College (Portland, OR) where he was named Team Captain in his senior year (2002).
In 2005, Austin started his career in coaching as the novice coach for the Lincoln Park Juniors (now known as Chicago Rowing Foundation). There he led his crews to four nearly undefeated seasons, four Midwest Regional Championship wins, and several top 10 LWT 8+ finishes at the USRowing youth National Championships.
Coach Work then became the Novice Coach for Wellesley College (Wellesley, MA) in 2009. On the Charles River, Coach work’s Crews were five time “Seven Sisters” Champions, five time Newmac Conference Champions, two time NERC Champions, and one time ECAC Champions. He was promoted to Associate Head Coach in 2013.
Work was named the director of rowing at the Austin Rowing Club (Austin, TX) in 2014. There, his Junior crews consistently finished in the top 10% of their local and regional competitions where they regularly qualified (and medaled) at USRowing’s Youth National championships. In 2018 Work was named the director of rowing at Vero Beach Rowing Club in Vero Beach, FL. in 2019, work was hired as an assistant coach/recruiting coordinator for The Michigan State University Women.
Work, and Stella the dog, are starting excited to start their third season with the Tarheels.
Email: austin.work@unc.edu
Masato Miyagi - Assistant Coach
Masato joined the UNC Men's Rowing staff in the Fall of 2022 after a move from Cleveland, Ohio.
He started his rowing career with Shaker Heights High School's inaugural men's program. He then went on to row at Case Western Reserve University (B.A. '17). After transitioning to the coxswain's seat in his second year, CWRU had a run of program high finishes at Head of the Charles, Lubber's Cup, and Dad Vails. He earned himself the "Spartan of the Year" award from his coaches and teammates in 2016.
Masato moved to North Carolina in 2020 while completing his MBA at University of Florida. Outside of rowing, you'll find him riding bikes, camping, or watching movies. At his day job, Masato is a prospect management analyst for UNC's Development Office.
Davis ColWell - Assistant Coach
Davis Colwell got his start in rowing in high school at Washington-Lee in Arlington, VA under the legendary Charlie Butt. He rowed in college for the University of Tampa.
Coach Colwell began coaching in 2005 for the Potomac Boat Club Women’s Masters team. From there he joined the staff of his alma mater, Washington-Lee, as the Head Novice Men’s coach. Over 4 years with W-L, he coached a variety of novice and varsity crews, earning top 3 State Championship finishes and qualifying for the SRAA National Championship.
A change in professional career took Coach Colwell to Fredericksburg, VA where he volunteered for the University of Mary Washington, men’s team. He was building a men’s team for 3 years when the program was disbanded.
2014, Coach Colwell moved to Austin, TX to take over the Junior Men’s Head Coach position. Over 7 years, he guided the team to multiple State and Regional championships and a silver medal in 2018 at USR Youth Nationals.
Coach Colwell has won numerous state, regional and national championships with juniors and masters rowers over his coaching career. He is excited to be in Chapel Hill working to help the Tarheel men’s team.