College Golf Coaches' 2026 Insight Blog

College Golf Coaching Changes and Updates for 2026

As the college golf coaching landscape continues to evolve, several notable changes have been announced across the country. From leadership transitions to new hires and retirements, these updates reflect the dynamic nature of collegiate golf programs.

Troy University

Troy University has undergone a change in leadership for its women's golf program. Randy Keck, who served as the head coach for nine seasons, has stepped down. Director of Athletics Kyle Georg expressed appreciation for Keck's contributions, highlighting his engagement with the Troy community. Keck previously coached at Tulsa, Redlands, Community College, and Tabor College, where his team won the 2006 NJCAA National Championship. Troy will now begin a national search for Keck’s successor.

Texas Tech

Texas Tech Golf has hired Nathan Weant as an assistant coach, where he will serve both the men's and women's programs. Weant returns to Texas Tech after serving as head coach at the University of Louisiana Monroe. A native of Hallsville, Texas, Weant played at Texas Tech from 2011-13 before finishing his collegiate career at Stephen F. Austin. He has experience leading teams to success, including a 2018 NJCAA Division I National Championship at Indian Hills Community College. Weant will officially start his role on June 1, 2026.

New Mexico State

New Mexico State Athletics has extended the contract of head women’s coach Danny Bowen for three years, securing his position for the future. Bowen, entering his 10th season, has led the Aggies to three conference championships, including back-to-back WAC titles in 2021 and 2022. Director of Athletics Joe Fields praised Bowen’s leadership and dedication, expressing confidence in his ability to guide the program to continued success.

Charleston Southern

Charleston Southern Athletics has announced a change in the head coach of the men's and women's golf programs, effective immediately. Scottie Clark had been the head coach for the past year but has since stepped down. A national search for the next head coach will begin immediately.

Gonzaga

Gonzaga University Athletics announced the retirement of Brad Rickel, the longtime women's golf head coach, after nearly three decades of service. Rickel returned to Gonzaga in 2007 and guided the program through its most successful stretch, including the 2021 West Coast Conference Championship and multiple NCAA Regional appearances. In recognition of his retirement, Victoria Fallgren-Murphy has been named the next head coach, effective June 2.

Dayton

The University of Dayton athletics department has announced the hiring of Collin Toner as its next men's golf head coach. Toner will join the program on June 2 following Gip Hoagland’s retirement at the end of May. Toner comes to Dayton after spending the 2025-26 season with the Boise State men's golf team as an assistant coach.

Louisiana-Monroe

Cory Churchman has been named the new head coach at Louisiana-Monroe, replacing Nathan Weant. Churchman has been the assistant coach at North Texas for the past four seasons. Director of Athletics Tuohy praised Weant for his contributions and expressed excitement about Churchman’s potential to lead the program.

Houston Christian

Houston Christian University has announced the hiring of Chad Marti as the new head men’s golf coach. Jordan Jeffers will now be the Director of Golf. Marti has served as a volunteer assistant with the HCU golf programs for the last five years and has a strong background in the local golf community.

La Salle

Denise "Dei" Lynam has been named the head women's golf coach at La Salle University. Lynam joins the Blue and Gold amidst a long and storied career as a basketball analyst, most notably for the Philadelphia 76ers and their G-League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats. She hosts pre- and post-game radio shows on 97.5 The Fanatic for 76ers games and also serves as a broadcaster for numerous collegiate women's basketball programs across the Northeast.

Southwestern College

Southwestern College head men’s and women’s golf coach Jackson Strohl has announced his resignation. During his time as head coach, Strohl guided the women's program to an NCAA Championship match play appearance in 2024. A national search for the next head men's and women's golf coach is immediately underway.

Rhodes College

After retiring, Mike Clary returned as interim coach at Rhodes for the 2025-26 season. Rhodes is currently ranked No. 66 in NCAA Division III women’s golf. The college is now looking for a full-time women’s golf coach.

University of Mary

University of Mary Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Marcus Wagner announced that head men's golf coach Laif Olson and head women's golf coach Marion Hernandez will step down from their positions at the conclusion of the upcoming spring season. Both coaches plan to remain connected to Marauders golf and continue supporting the university's scholar-athletes and the future of the program.

Abilene Christian

Abilene Christian University has announced a change in its men's golf program following 12 seasons under head coach Tom Shaw. A national search for the next head coach will begin immediately.

Oakland University

Oakland University Athletics recently announced that head men's golf coach Robby Pickett has resigned. The Golden Grizzlies lost in a sudden-death playoff and placed second at the Horizon League Championship to Wright State. Oakland University Athletics will conduct a national search for the head coach position.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga will officially begin its search for a new women's golf coach, after announcing interim Katie Woodruff will not return for the 2026-27 season. The Mocs were left with just four players this spring and placed second to Furman at the Southern Conference Championship.

BYU

After 34 seasons as the head coach of the BYU men’s golf program, Bruce Brockbank has announced that he will retire at the conclusion of the season. Brockbank started as a student-athlete on the golf team in 1985, was hired as an assistant coach in 1988 and installed as the head coach of BYU men's golf in 1992.

Elon

Elon women’s golf head coach Chris Dockrill has announced his retirement following nearly three decades leading the program. Dockrill, who is a member of the Elon Sports Hall of Fame as a men’s golfer, became the women’s golf head coach in 1999 and guided Elon to more than 25 tournament victories and 22 top-five finishes at conference championship events.

Lipscomb

Lipscomb University Director of Athletics Philip Hutcheson recently announced that women's golf head coach Shannon O’Brien will step away from her position following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season to relocate to Starkville, Mississippi. A national search for O'Brien's successor will begin immediately.

Old Dominion

Old Dominion men’s golf coach Dr. Murray Rudisill is retiring at the conclusion of the 2026 season. Rudisill became the golf coach in 1975 and has led the Monarchs to a pair of conference championships, and he won four state championships.

Alabama

Mic Potter, who has coached the Alabama women's golf team for the last 21 seasons and is in his 43rd year overall as an NCAA Division I head coach, will retire following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. Potter led the Crimson Tide to the 2012 NCAA Championship and added a national runner-up finish in 2018.

Dayton

Last Fall, Dayton men’s golf coach Gip Hoagland announced his retirement at the end of the 2025-26 season. Hoagland spent 18 years at Dayton. Dayton has posted the job and is accepting applications for the next 10 days.

James Madison

James Madison has announced that head women's coach Tommy Baker has received a contract extension through the 2028-29 academic year. Baker, in his eighth season as head coach of JMU, has established a positive culture and achieved excellence.

Ohio State

Ohio State women's golf head coach Lisa Strom has announced the promotion of Alejandra Cangrejo to associate head coach. Cangrejo, who is from Bogota, Colombia, played her collegiate golf at Duke.

Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh announced the addition of Jake Doggett as the team’s assistant coach. Doggett joins the Commodores after a three-year stint as a professional golfer, competing on the All Pro Tour.

Appalachian State

Appalachian State has named Holt Allison as an assistant men’s golf coach. Allison, who is from Conover, N.C., finished his collegiate career last spring at Lenoir-Rhyne. He was a first-team All-SAC performer, four-year starter and a team captain.

Wichita State

Wichita State has announced it will reduce the size of its athletic department staff. Among the cuts include the assistant men’s golf coach Mark Leroux and assistant women’s golf coach Alejandra Heinen.

Kennesaw State

Abigail Bolt has been named assistant women's golf coach at Kennesaw State. Bolt reunites with head coach Ket Vanderpool after three seasons together at Georgia State. Bolt played her college golf at Appalachian State.

New Mexico

The University of New Mexico has announced Brady Edwards as the program’s assistant coach. Edwards comes to New Mexico after spending the past two-and-a-half seasons at Vanderbilt as an assistant coach and director of operations.

Nebraska

Lory Paradis joined the Nebraska women's golf program as an assistant coach in early January. Paradis, who was a team captain as a player for Husker Head Coach Breanne Hall at Illinois State in 2024-25, came to Lincoln after serving as a graduate assistant coach for the Redbirds during the 2025 fall season.

Baylor

After a 39-year coaching career (29 college & 10 high school) Baylor head coach Mike McGraw is retiring effective immediately. McGraw won the 2006 NCAA title while coaching at Oklahoma State.