Head coach Gil Birney has instructed at Bowdoin since 1995 and is USRA Level 3 certified. He rowed at Williams College from 1968 to 1972 where he was captain his senior year. Before coming to Bowdoin, he was assistant coach at Williams from 1972-1973, assistant coach at Brooks School in 1978, and girl's coach at St. Paul's School from 1980-1983. At the Dad Vail Regatta in 2008 Coach Birney was presented with the Matt Ledwith Award as Coach of The Year. In the last 8 years Bowdoin crews have won 6 gold, 5 silver and a bronze at the Dad Vail, the largest intercollegiate regatta in the country.