University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Rowing Announces Two Coaching Staff Additions
8/25/2026 2:15:00 PM | Women's Rowing
STORRS, Conn. – Head women's rowing coach Gordon Getsinger has announced two coaching staff additions on Tuesday afternoon. Lizzie Mitchell has joined the coaching staff as the associate head coach. Former assistant Audrey Kelley has rejoined Getsinger's coaching staff as an assistant. She previously served on the coaching staff of long-time head coach Jennifer Sanford for four seasons.
Mitchell comes to UConn from Boston University, where she spent the last three seasons as the associate head coach of the women's rowing program. She helped lead the Terriers to three consecutive Patriot League Championships from 2023 through 2026. Under her leadership, the Varsity 8 crew won back-to-back conference Boat of the Year honors in 2024 and 2025. In her final season in Boston, Mitchell and the Terriers coaching staff were recognized as the Patriot League Coaching Staff of the Year.
"Lizzie brings tremendous experience in technical coaching, recruiting, and athlete development," said Getsinger. "Her experiences at Boston University, Bates College, and at the international level will help us continue to build on our already existing strong foundation. I could not be more excited to collaborate with her and bring her championship experience to UConn as we continue to elevate our program."
Prior to her time at Boston University, Mitchell spent the 2022-23 season as the head coach at Division III Pacific Lutheran University. In her lone season with the Lutes, she led the Varsity 8 to a fourth-place finish at the Petite Final at the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships.
"I'm extremely honored and excited to be working alongside Gordon and the rest of the staff here at UConn," said Mitchell. "It's an exciting time to be part of this program as it builds off of last year's success and continues to drive forward to new heights! I also want to recognize Coach Sanford and all that she did for the team over her tenure."
Before joining Pacific Lutheran, Mitchell served as an assistant coach at Division III powerhouse Bates College from 2015 to 2021. She worked with both the women's and men's programs, helping lead the Bobcats to NESCAC Championships in 2017, 2018, and 2019, with the coaching staff earning Division III Coaching Staff of the Year honors in each of those seasons. Mitchell also helped guide the women's program to four national championships in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021.
Mitchell also brings international coaching experience, having coached the U23 U.S. National Team in 2023, 2024, and in 2026. This past summer, she helped lead the women's quad to a gold medal at the U23 World Championships. In 2023, she guided the men's lightweight pair to a gold medal.
Mitchell earned her bachelor's degree in recreation management from the University of Vermont. She later obtained her master's degree in intercollegiate athletic leadership from the University of Washington.
Kelley, a former team captain for the UConn rowing team, returned to her alma mater in 2022 to join Sanford's coaching staff. She served as the recruiting coordinator along with assuming assistant coach responsibilities. Kelley helped lead the Huskies to the program's best finish at the CAA Championships in 2026, placing second overall while recording runner-up finishes in all three races. She has also coached the Third Varsity 8 to a second-place finish in the Knecht Cup in 2025 and a third-place finish in 2024. Across her four seasons, Kelley coached 11 student-athletes to All-CAA honors.
"It is very exciting to announce that Audrey Kelley will continue on the UConn Rowing staff after five years with the program," said Getsinger. "A former UConn rower herself, Audrey brings tremendous experience, enthusiasm, and a deep understanding of our program and student-athletes. Audrey has played an important role in the program's growth, and her vision, professionalism, and commitment will be invaluable as we build on our strong foundation, while maintaining the traditions and culture that make UConn Rowing special. I'm excited to work alongside Audrey as we continue moving the program forward."
Prior to her time at UConn, Kelley was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Delaware from 2018 to 2022. She helped the Blue Hens to two top four finishes at the CAA Championships while coaching five student-athletes to All-CAA honors.
"I'm so grateful to get to continue to work with this group of athletes," said Kelley. "Their commitment, Gordon's vision for the program, and a staff this dedicated makes UConn the place to be in collegiate rowing. Go Huskies!"
Kelley also coached at Middlebury College for the men's and women's rowing programs for two years. In her time at Middlebury, she had 4+ silver medalists at the Dad Vail Women's Novice, the largest collegiate regatta in the United States.
