Colleen Gillis

Biography

Gillis arrived on Rocky Top prior to the 2023-24 season, having served as a graduate assistant for one season under head coach Kim Cupini at SMU. There, she helped lead the Mustangs’ surge to a ninth-place finish at the 2023 NCAA Rowing Championship and a sweep at the AAC Championship. “I feel incredibly fortunate to be joining the Rocky Top family,” Gillis said. “I believe that Kim’s commitment to excellence on and off the water, combined with the talented incoming staff, sets the stage for a new era of Tennessee Rowing. I am thrilled to get to work and to help build Tennessee Rowing into a powerhouse team.” In year two, Gillis helped the Lady Vols to another successful season. Gillis helped lead Tennessee to a fifth place finish at the 2025 NCAA Championships, its second consecutive top five finish. This run marks the most successful two year stretch in program history after earning third place at the 2024 NCAA Championships. At the inaugural SEC Championships, Tennessee finished in second place while earning three gold and two silver medals. Four Tennessee rowers garnered CRCA All-American honors following the 2025 campaign. Over the last two season Tennessee had had nine athletes earned CRCA All-American status, the most over a two year span in program history. In her first season on Rocky Top, Gillis helped lead Tennessee to its best season in program history. The Lady Vols ascended to No. 3 in the CRCA national rankings by season’s end, and placed third nationally—a pro