Rowing is our passion. Coaching is our purpose.
The founding of Maverick Rowing is inspired by the success of the Riverside High School crew team that achieved four gold, three silver and one bronze in multiple racing classes at Virginia State Championships and advanced to SRAA National Championships ranking top ten for Men’s Junior Eight over four years. Coaches Dan and Joe built on this success to bring year-round, targeted training to middle school, high school and collegiate competitive rowers.
Dan Passarella
Owner and Head Coach
Coach Dan started rowing in middle school in Belleville, New Jersey continuing all through high school. He rowed at Marietta College and even coached the Marietta College crew team. Afterwards, he coached in New Jersey for both Nutley and Belleville high school crew teams. After a career in the technology industry, he founded both the Power 10 Rowing Club and Riverside High School crew team in Loudoun County, Virginia to build a nationally competitive team. Coach Dan is a US Rowing Level 3 High Performance Coach. He, his wife and son have been living in Loudoun County, Virginia for over twenty years. His son now rows at Marietta College.
“We are coaching at a distance out on the water. With the indoor rowing tank, we can focus on bladework and adjust in real time coaching novice and experienced rowers.”
Joseph Carrier
Owner and Coach
Coach Joe received an undergraduate degree from University of Illinois and a graduate business degree from Georgetown University in corporate finance and strategy. After a career in structured finance and business intelligence, he joined Dan in 2020 to coach the Riverside High School crew team in Loudoun County, Virginia into a formidable championship team to medal repeatedly at Virginia State Championships and compete in the finals at Stotesbury Cup Regatta and semi-finals at SRAA Nationals. Coach Joe is a US Rowing Level 2 Experienced Coach. He, his wife and two sons have been living in Loudoun County, Virginia for over ten years.
“The indoor rowing tank provides an exceptional opportunity for rowers to develop technique much faster and more efficiently to deliver a real competitive edge.”
Joe Brennan
Performance Coach
Coach Joe coached successfully at every level, from juniors to internationals, working with athletes ranging from Novices to World and Olympic champions. He served as Head Coach of the US Men’s team at the U23 World Championships/Nations Cup in 1995. Additionally, he served as Head Coach of the Senior men’s team at Penn AC Rowing Association. Coach Joe coached at the collegiate level at Temple and Georgetown, and at the High School level at Riverside, Monsignor Bonner, Hun School and Peddie School. He and his family have lived in Loudoun County, Virginia for over twenty years.
“Getting better is a function of focusing on the little things, not letting yourself get overwhelmed, and maintaining an attitude that insists on improving every day. That’s it. That’s the secret.”
Veronica Rush
Development Coach
Coach Veronica is a 2022 Riverside High School graduate. She rowed as a team Captain for two years on the Riverside Crew team. Currently, she majors in Animation at the University of Central Florida, and rows as a NCAA Division 1 athlete. As a freshman, she competed in the UCF Varsity First Four earning silver at the All-American Conference Championship. As a sophomore, she rowed in the UCF Varsity Second Eight earning bronze in the Big 12 Conference Championship. Now as a US Rowing Level 1 Coach, Veronica is excited to return to Coach the summer rowing program.
Sean Thomas
Coach
Coach Sean received an undergraduate degree from Virginia Tech and entered active duty in the U.S. Army as a Field Artillery officer. He coached the Stone Bridge High School crew team from 2018 through 2021 serving as Head Coach for the last three seasons and returning as Head Coach for the 2025 spring season. A US Rowing Level 2 Experienced Coach, he enjoys mentoring student athletes and strategizing boat lineups to operate at the competitive edge. Coach Sean owns a consulting firm and lives with his wife and two children, both Stone Bridge crew alumni, in Loudoun County, Virginia.
“Row with purpose, not just power. Anyone can pull hard for a moment, but it takes vision, rhythm and trust to carry a boat the whole way. Strength wins a race, purpose wins a season.”
John Hillmann
Coach
Coach John received a BS in Mathematics from Fordham University and an MBA from American University. He rowed at Fordham University and currently coaches at Stone Bridge High School to consistently medal at Virginia State Championships. His coaching philosophy emphasizes physical strength, mental resilience, and sportsmanship ensuring every athlete gains valuable lessons both on and off the water. As a US Rowing Level 1 Coach, he provides personalized guidance to each athlete to reach full potential. Coach John lives in Loudoun County, Virginia.