Truex, who helped guide the Triton men to two Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship appearances in the past four years, becomes the third head coach in program history. He replaces Pattie Pinkerton, who had served as head coach for the previous 13 seasons.

"We are very pleased that Colin will be taking the next step in his coaching career here at UC San Diego," Edwards said. "His experience coaching both men and women at several respected institutions and his passion for the sport really made him the ideal candidate for the position. He has been a big part of the success of the men's program over the past five years and we are confident that he will be just as successful in leading the women."

Truex came to La Jolla as the first assistant coach prior to the 2007-08 season and has helped build UCSD men's crew into one of the top programs on the west coast. As coach of the novice squad, he has led the Tritons to several impressive showings across the country, including a 12th place finish by the freshman eight boat at the IRA National Championships in 2011.

Truex led UCSD to an especially impressive campaign in 2008-09 as the Tritons put together an undefeated run at the Pac-10 Challenge and then claimed an improbable petite final victory at the San Diego Crew Classic. UCSD's novice squad earned an invitation to the IRAs and went on to finish 17th overall.

In addition to his coaching duties, Truex also served as recruiting coordinator and developed a recruiting plan that transformed the program from one that relied exclusively on walk-ons to one that is primarily made up of recruited athletes. He was also actively involved with camps, travel, fundraising and alumni and parent relations.

"I am very excited to be the head coach of the UCSD women's rowing program," Truex said. "There is tremendous potential here and I am confident that with some hard work we can be a national contender immediately. I know that the student-athletes are ready for change and are working hard this summer so that we can start the fall season off on a strong note.

"I really appreciate getting this opportunity and I look forward to working with the great administrators and coaches that make up the UCSD athletic department."

Truex began his coaching career at Ohio State University in 2000, where he served as the novice coach of the men's club team for two seasons. In 2004, he was named an assistant coach with the women's crew program at San Diego State, where he helped guide the Aztecs to back-to-back first place finishes at the WIRA Championships and a pair of top-10 showings for the lightweight eight boat at the National Championships.

He also served as SDSU's recruiting coordinator and his efforts led to the signing of over 60 high school student-athletes during his five years with the program.

From 2004-06, Truex held the position of student-athlete affairs coordinator at San Diego State, serving as the primary liaison to admissions for all prospective student-athletes for SDSU's 18-sport athletics program.

A native of Wethersfield, Conn., Truex graduated Cum Laude with honors from Colby College with a bachelor's degree in Government. He received his MBA with specialization in Management from San Diego State in 2007.

A four-year letterwinner on the crew team at Colby, Truex spent three seasons with the top varsity eight boat, winning medals at the Head of the Charles, New England Championships and New Hampshire Championships. He was also a two-time grand finalist at the ECAC Championships and stroked a silver medal-winning open four at the IRA National Championships. Truex rowed internationally while studying abroad at University College London his junior year, competing in the Temple Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta.

Truex and his wife Jenny reside in Allied Gardens with their one-year old son Griffin.