IRVING, Texas – Alabama rowing's historic season continues with head coach Glenn Putyrae being named the 2019 Big 12 Coach of the Year, the conference office announced Wednesday. The honor is the first for the Crimson Tide since joining the conference as an affiliate member in 2015.

"I am humbled to be recognized by the coaches of this conference for the team's success this season," Putyrae said. "I am fortunate to have a talented staff, supportive administration and team of committed athletes."

In only one season under Putyrae's leadership, the Tide swept a top-20 team, landed in the top-20 of the US Rowing/CRCA's Poll and finished second at Conference Championships – all program firsts. Alabama also won three-consecutive Big 12 Boat of the Week honors this season, tying for the longest streak in Big 12 rowing history. The last team to win three-consecutive weekly awards was Texas in 2017.