O.D. Vincent Named Men's Golf Coach

DURHAM, N.C. ? O.D. Vincent, who has guided the UCLA golf program to a pair of Pac-10 crowns and four top-10 NCAA Championship finishes over the past five seasons, has been named the head men's golf coach at Duke University, announced on Monday by Director of Athletics Joe Alleva.

Vincent replaces Rod Myers, who passed away in March after directing the Blue Devil program for 34 seasons. Brad Sparling served as the program's interim head coach during the spring semester.

"I am extremely honored and excited to have the opportunity to join the Duke family as the head men's golf coach,” said Vincent. “Coach Myers was a mentor, friend and legend in our sport. I look forward to honoring the great Duke golf tradition and anticipate an exciting and successful future."

The National Coach of the Year choice by the Golf Coaches Association of America in 1999, Vincent is a three-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year honoree, earning the award in 1999 with Washington and in 2003 and 2006 at UCLA.

“In the spring, Duke lost an amazing member of our coaching staff and the athletic department family when longtime golf coach Rod Myers passed away,” Alleva said. “He was a beloved figure at Duke and within the national golf community as well. Coach Myers' imprint on the Duke golf program will last forever. Under trying circumstances, Brad Sparling did a terrific job as our interim coach, leading the team to a 13th-place finish at the 2007 NCAA Championships. We thank Brad for his commitment and leadership during this difficult time.

“Our men's golf program is moving forward with the hiring of a new head coach. We are excited to add O.D. Vincent to our staff. His enthusiasm, commitment to academics, playing experience, and coaching background make him an ideal fit for Duke. We identified several top candidates from all over the United States and during the interview process, it became increasingly clear who the top candidate was. O.D. is an excellent communicator and teacher. We believe that Coach Vincent can move the Duke golf program to greater success in the future.”

In five years with the Bruins, Vincent's squads produced 35 tournament wins, Pac-10 titles in 2003 and 2006, NCAA Regional trophies in 2003 and 2004, and NCAA Championship finishes of third (2003), second (2004), tied for seventh (2006) and seventh (2007). In the Pac-10, UCLA posted finishes of first (2003 & 2006), second (2007), third (2004) and fourth (2005) during Vincent's tenure.

Vincent coached eight All-America picks while at UCLA in Steve Conway (2nd team in 2003 & HM in 2004), Travis Johnson (HM in 2003 & 2nd team in 2004), John Merrick (HM in 2003), Roy Moon (HM in 2004), Erik Flores (2nd team in 2006), Daniel Im (HM in 2006), Kevin Chappell (HM in 2006 & 2nd team in 2007) and Lucas Lee (3rd team in 2007).

UCLA was proclaimed the nation's “Best Balanced” golf program in 2005 by Golf Digest. Vincent, who also received the GCAA's Region Coach of the Year honor in 2003 and 2006, helped UCLA to five straight NCAA Tournament berths from 2003-07, marking the first time the Bruins have accomplished the feat since 1963-67 under Vic Kelley.

A 1991 graduate of Washington with a degree in sociology, Vincent guided the Huskies to the 1988 Pac-10 championship ? Washington's first league crown in 25 years ? by claiming medallist honors. Led by Vincent's 19th-place individual finish, Washington went on to place 15th at the NCAA Championships. Vincent was an all-conference and All-America selection after posting a Washington single-season record eight top-10 finishes, including two individual titles.

Prior to his playing tenure at Washington, Vincent helped Palm Springs High School to the 1985 California state championship while earning medallist honors.

After his undergraduate days at Washington, Vincent was the only American golfer to qualify for the PGA's European Tour in 1991, and earned a spot in the 1992 British Open. In 1995, he returned to his alma mater as head coach and, five years later, was named Director of Golf. Vincent was instrumental in the development of Washington National, the Huskies' home course that opened in 2000. The course later served as the site for the 2002 NCAA Women's Golf Championships and the 2003 NCAA Men's Golf West Regional.

In the summer of 2001, Vincent departed Washington eyeing a return to the professional ranks, and participated in the 2002 Phoenix Open.

In his six seasons atop the Washington program, Vincent led the Huskies to four NCAA Tournament appearances, nine event championships and 68 top-10 showings. He received co-Pac 10 Coach of the Year, District VIII Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year accolades in 1999 after helping the Huskies to three tournament wins, a fourth place showing in the league and a fourth place finish at the NCAA Championships.

While at Washington, he mentored a pair of All-America honorees in Troy Kelly and Brock MacKenzie as well as 13 all-conference choices and five Pac-10 All-Academic selections. He is the only golfer in Pac-10 history to earn medallist honors as a player and later garner the league's coach of the year award.

A native of Seattle, Wash., Vincent is married to the former Jana Ellis, who earned All-America honors as a swimmer at Washington and Florida. The couple has two children, Prada Patricia Vincent, born in 2002 and Phar Ellis Vincent born in February of 2006.

O.D. Vincent Named Men's Golf Coach

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