June 16, 2009

DAYTON - The Dayton Flyers will once again turn to one of their alumni as the University of Dayton promoted assistant coach Gip Hoagland to be the new head men's golf coach.

Hoagland is a PGA Professional and will replace Chris Hale, who stepped down from the head position and will assume a role as the volunteer assistant coach for the Flyers.

The Dayton native and 1993 UD graduate should help the program continue to excel with his experience and understanding of today's game. He is a Class A PGA Professional and Head Professional and Director of Operations at Penn Terra Golf Course.

"I want to continue the great athletic and academic tradition already in place at the University of Dayton," said Hoagland. "I am also looking to bring stability to the program and help the team take a step forward. This is a very exciting opportunity because I love being a coach."

In the previous six seasons the Flyers have had four head coaches. Hoagland hopes a more stable head coaching situation should help UD continue to improve its efforts in recruiting, player development and alumni relations.

This will be Hoagland's second season with the Flyers. Last year he served as a volunteer assistant with Hale on the Flyer men's golf staff.

Prior to UD, Hoagland served as Tournament Chairman for the Dayton Chapter of the Southern Ohio PGA. In 2005 he was named the Southern Ohio PGA Apprentice of the Year and served as the Apprentice Association Chairman for two years after that.

In 1993 Hoagland graduated the University of Dayton with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He also served as the Assistant Golf Professional at Penn Terra Golf Course for four years soon after and also worked as a Miami Valley Golf Club Teaching Professional.

"Gip possesses the precise skills we need to continue to develop our men's golf program," said UD Associate Athletic Director Mike Kelly. "He has been a professional player, successful assistant coach, and has demonstrated his talent in recruiting, instructing and fundraising. We have great faith in his abilities, and look forward to continued success."

Dayton finished the 2008-09 season in seventh place at the Atlantic 10 Men's Golf Championship and will return three golfers from the previous year.

However, the Flyers bring in a strong recruiting class as six freshmen, Mike Griffin, Zach Hadaway, Brenten Blakeman, Sean Keating, Matt Buse and John Muir headline the incoming class to round out the 2009-10 roster.

"These kids are all really good players," said Hoagland. "What I want to try to do is let their talent come out and help them excel at the highest level."