Beavers Hire Kacir as Associate Head Coach
October 14, 2026 | Men's Rowing
CORVALLIS – Oregon State athletics has hired Vaclav Kacir as its associate head coach for men's rowing, Director of Rowing Michael Eichler announced Wednesday.
Kacir brings a wealth of experience in both collegiate and international rowing. His coaching career includes stints with the Slovak Rowing Federation, the United States National Team, LMU, Stanford and Columbia.
"I am excited to bring Coach V onto staff," Eichler said. "His unique background in coaching and other professional pursuits gives him a wide range of skills that are well suited for the demands of the job. His experiences as a coach at multiple programs have afforded him the knowledge of what can and will work at OSU. The feedback I received from others who have worked with him or who have been coached by him were stellar and supported his eagerness to coach and develop student-athletes. I am looking forward to working, learning and teaching alongside him as we continue to elevate the entire boathouse."
As national team coach for the Slovak Rowing Federation from 1996-2016, Kacir led boats to medals at the World Championships, World Rowing Cup, European Championships and World Rowing Under 23 Championships. His tenure was highlighted by a gold medal in men's single sculls at the 2016 European Championships. Kacir also worked as an assistant coach for the United States National Team in 2006-07, helping the women's four win gold at the 2007 World Championships.
"I'm honored and excited to join Oregon State and become part of a rowing program with a proud, century-long tradition," Kacir said. "I'm very grateful to Michael and everyone involved in the process for their trust in me. During my visit, I was impressed by the passion of the people around the program and the potential of the team. I'm looking forward to working with the student-athletes and coaches, building a strong team culture, and helping everyone reach their full potential both on and off the water. I can't wait to get started and become part of the Beaver family."
Kacir's most recent experience in the college ranks came at LMU, where he was Director for Rowing from 2011-15. He oversaw the men's and women's rowing programs during that period, guiding two boats to runner up finishes at the West Coast Conference Championships.
As an assistant rowing coach for the Stanford women's rowing team from 2007-11, Kacir helped guide the Cardinal to an NCAA Team Championship in 2009 – the first in program history. For his efforts, Kacir was named CRCA National Assistant Coach of the Year. The Cardinal also finished as the NCAA runner-up in 2011.
Kacir was the freshman lightweight coach at Columbia from 2005-07, leading the freshman lightweight eight to bronze at the 2006 Eastern Sprints.
Kacir has spent the last 10 years working as the senior project engineer at Dowbuilt, coordinating complex residential construction projects. He holds a Master's degree in sport science and a doctorate in sport science from Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia.
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).
Kacir brings a wealth of experience in both collegiate and international rowing. His coaching career includes stints with the Slovak Rowing Federation, the United States National Team, LMU, Stanford and Columbia.
"I am excited to bring Coach V onto staff," Eichler said. "His unique background in coaching and other professional pursuits gives him a wide range of skills that are well suited for the demands of the job. His experiences as a coach at multiple programs have afforded him the knowledge of what can and will work at OSU. The feedback I received from others who have worked with him or who have been coached by him were stellar and supported his eagerness to coach and develop student-athletes. I am looking forward to working, learning and teaching alongside him as we continue to elevate the entire boathouse."
As national team coach for the Slovak Rowing Federation from 1996-2016, Kacir led boats to medals at the World Championships, World Rowing Cup, European Championships and World Rowing Under 23 Championships. His tenure was highlighted by a gold medal in men's single sculls at the 2016 European Championships. Kacir also worked as an assistant coach for the United States National Team in 2006-07, helping the women's four win gold at the 2007 World Championships.
"I'm honored and excited to join Oregon State and become part of a rowing program with a proud, century-long tradition," Kacir said. "I'm very grateful to Michael and everyone involved in the process for their trust in me. During my visit, I was impressed by the passion of the people around the program and the potential of the team. I'm looking forward to working with the student-athletes and coaches, building a strong team culture, and helping everyone reach their full potential both on and off the water. I can't wait to get started and become part of the Beaver family."
Kacir's most recent experience in the college ranks came at LMU, where he was Director for Rowing from 2011-15. He oversaw the men's and women's rowing programs during that period, guiding two boats to runner up finishes at the West Coast Conference Championships.
As an assistant rowing coach for the Stanford women's rowing team from 2007-11, Kacir helped guide the Cardinal to an NCAA Team Championship in 2009 – the first in program history. For his efforts, Kacir was named CRCA National Assistant Coach of the Year. The Cardinal also finished as the NCAA runner-up in 2011.
Kacir was the freshman lightweight coach at Columbia from 2005-07, leading the freshman lightweight eight to bronze at the 2006 Eastern Sprints.
Kacir has spent the last 10 years working as the senior project engineer at Dowbuilt, coordinating complex residential construction projects. He holds a Master's degree in sport science and a doctorate in sport science from Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia.
OUR MISSION
Oregon State Athletics strives to Build Excellent Authentic Visionary Student-Athletes (Go BEAVS).
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