Frank Biller Named Head Coach of Virginia Men's Rowing

CHARLOTTESVILLE—University of Virginia Men's Rowing has hired Frank Biller as its new head coach. Stephan Matanovic, president of VMR's board of directors, made the announcement this afternoon.

"I am excited to join a program with such a rich history in such a beautiful setting," said Biller.

Biller, a Swiss national, started rowing at the age of 15. He later competed for his country at the 1992 Junior World Championships in Montreal, Canada, and continued competitive rowing competitively with his home club, Ruderclub Erlenbach. During that time he also coached juniors. Thereafter Frank took a short break from rowing, and worked in banking in Switzerland and the United States, eventually earning an MBA from Drexel University.

Frank returned to rowing in 2002, when he moved to Philadelphia, where he quickly rose through the coaching ranks, including at Vesper Boat Club, where he coached men and women who competed in elite competition, including at the FISA world championships and at the Olympic Games. In addition, Frank has helped his wife Karen coach the U.S. National Team Adaptive since 2005, winning two medals at the 2008 Paralympic Games, in Beijing.

In addition to coaching, from 2005 through 2009, Frank was the worldwide sales manager for the world's largest rowing-electronics firm, where he was responsible for the marketing, sales, and distribution of rowing products worldwide. Frank has also been a member of the board of directors of the United States Rowing Association since 2005, where he has helped develop strategies for the association.

"Collegiate rowing is changing fast," said Matanovic. "Across the country, programs are getting faster and faster. The best club crews are no longer using their club status as an excuse for losing to varsity crews. Here at Virginia, we have an outstanding university, a pristine body of water, great facilities, and huge potential. Our board of directors felt challenged to hire the best head coach we could find, one who can give our rowers the tools they need to eventually compete at the highest levels of the sport. When we saw an opportunity to get Frank, we went for him—hard."