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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Women’s Rowing program added a familiar face to the staff ahead of the 2026-27 rowing season. Bella Miletich, who rowed for the Dolphins from 2021-24, joins as an assistant coach.
“As I go into my 21st year of being a Division I head coach, what I have learned is there is no greater joy than getting to hire and work with an athlete I had the pleasure of working with as an undergraduate,” Director of Rowing and women’s head coach Mike Lane said. “I am thrilled to hire Bella. She was a scrappy student athlete with a passion for competition that was unmatched.
“She knows me and she knows JU Women’s Rowing which will instantly give her a leg up. Her passion for wanting to see our program be successful is unmatched and that will be hugely valuable as an assistant coach. Bella spent the last two years maturing and honing her coaching voice. Now it is time for her to come home and help us compete for our 10th championship.”
Miletich rowed in the Dolphins Second Varsity Eight for three seasons, helping JU win three MAAC Championships and competing in three NCAA Championships. She returns to Jacksonville following time coaching at the College of New Jersey.
The Dolphin alumnus joins a program fresh off its ninth conference championship and one of its best ever finishes at the NCAA Championships. With Miletich back in the fold, Jacksonville will chase title No. 11 and look to build on last season’s success.
“What a fantastic year the 2025/2026 season was,” Lane said. “Not only did we have a great group of women to work with. We had great team results like the SIRA team championship as well winning our ninth MAAC championship. But I was most proud of what we did at NCAAs. Narrowly missing a historic performance having all three boats beat another team which would have put us top 20 in the country. We are just one piece of the puzzle short of being amazing; This year we are planning to be amazing,” Lane said.