Tony Johnson

Varsity Heavyweight Head Coach, Director of Rowing

Varsity heavyweight men's coach Tony Johnson has coached and directed the rowing program at Georgetown since 1989. He first coached the Georgetown crew from 1967 to 1969 before coaching at Yale University for 20 years. In guiding the sport of crew on the Hilltop, Johnson has overseen significant growth of the program, strengthening the foundation for even greater success in the future. He has helped to secure over $18 million in financial support over the past 15 years. Johnson was the only full-time coach in 1990 when he returned to Georgetown. Today, four full-time coaches and four part-time coaches oversee four varsity programs and four novice teams. Johnson has served as the leading proponent for a new boathouse, a goal that will soon be achieved. The Hoya crews have all upgraded their competitive level from Dad Vail to Eastern Sprint competition. Johnson's rowers earned gold for four straight years at the Champion Regatta in the mid-1990's. Several have earned post-collegiate accolades on a national level. His coaching achievements at Yale include the 1982 national championship, several Eastern Sprint titles, and two junior varsity titles at the Henley Royal Regatta. He was named Eastern Coach of the Year in 1982. Johnson began his rowing career under the legendary Charlie Butt at Washington-Lee High School and continued to row at Syracuse University and Potomac Boat Club. Johnson earned a silver medal in the pairs at the 1968 Olympics and gold medals at the 1967 and 1969 European championships. He served as an assistant U.S. Olympic rowing coach in 1972.

Michael Guerrieri

Freshman Heavyweight Coach

Guerrieri arrives at Georgetown from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., where his top freshman boat placed 11th out of 24 at the 2008 IRA National Championships. Prior to his stint at Navy, he served as the Head Coach at Hobart for three years from 2002-05. His Hobart crews totaled three medals at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship and won titles at both the New York State Championship and the Head of the Charles Regatta. Guerrieri also received Liberty League Coach-of-the-Year accolades in each of his final two seasons. He began his coaching career in 1998 at Holy Spirit High School in Absecon, N.J. before moving on to the collegiate level the following year as the coach of the Michigan freshman team. His freshman eight crews won Big Ten titles in 2001 and 2002 and placed second at the 2002 IRA Regatta. Guerrieri himself competed at the Junior World Championship in 1987 and 1988 and at the 1989 Henley Royal Regatta in England. He also earned a bronze medal at the 1990 Intercollegiate National Rowing Championship as a member of the UCLA varsity eight crew.

Frank Benson

Assistant Varsity Heavyweight Coach

Frank Benson has been assisting Tony Johnson with the varsity heavyweights since 2002. From 1968 to 1974, Benson coached at Georgetown, first coaching the freshmen and later the varsity heavyweights as head coach. During this time Georgetown won numerous medals in the Dad Vail Regatta. After coaching at Georgetown, Benson coached the PBC elite heavyweight crew that set the course record in the Stewards Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta and represented the US in the 1975 World Championships (with several Georgetown rowers in these crews).

Michael Hill

Strength and Conditioning Coach

Hill is in his fourth year at Georgetown after coming to the Hilltop from San Francisco, where he ran a multi-million dollar weight training facility while volunteering for the Oakland Raiders. He received his BA from the University of Northern Iowa in Health Promotion with a minor in Coaching. Hill is a current member of the National Strength & Conditioning Association and his certifications include Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, SAC Speed Agility and Conditioning Level 1 Coach, and National Academy of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer.