Jack Vallerga has been with the UCSD rowing program for 37 seasons, including being the head coach from 1974-1999. Vallerga began his tenure as a member of the Triton coaching staff in 1974, and he coached both the men's and women's teams. By the 1980 season, the men's and women's teams had grown to the point that it was decided to create separate coaching positions for the teams. At that point, Vallerga decided to continue as the women's coach.

As head coach, Vallerga developed the rowing program into one of the most successful in the West. In his final year as head coach, 1999, he was named WIRA Coach of the Year.

Vallerga is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara, where he competed as a coxswain between 1967 and 1971. He earned his secondary teaching credential at San Diego State in 1974, and has been a teacher with the San Diego City Schools since that time.