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Ryan Blagg Chosen to Lead Louisville Men’s Golf Program
May 13, 2020 | Men's Golf
Blagg led Baylor to seven regional and four appearances.
LOUISVILLE. Ky. - Ryan Blagg, the 2017 national assistant coach of the year at Baylor, has been named the head coach of of the University of Louisville men's golf program, UofL Vice-President/Director of Athletics Vince Tyra announced on Wednesday.
An eight-year assistant at Baylor, Blagg replaces Mark Crabtree, who retired following the season after leading the Cardinals to 11 regional and four NCAA Championship appearances.
"Ryan has been a terrific golfer and teacher of the game," Tyra said. "He is a perfect fit for the criteria we sought to lead our men's golf program and to be part of the Cardinal family. His experience at Baylor and coaching the USA team in the Palmer Cup has provided him great experience with a top ranked program and top ranked players."
During his successful run at Baylor, Blagg helped guide the Bears to seven consecutive regional and a school record four-straight NCAA Championship appearances from 2012-19, while mentoring six different players to earn All-American accolades during his time in Waco.
"I feel very blessed that Vince Tyra has entrusted me to lead the men's golf program," Blagg said. I can't wait to get started in working with these talented players at one of the nation's top university-owned golf courses. I love the culture of the athletic department and I am humbled to be a part of the UofL family. My family and I are looking forward to joining this outstanding community."
Collectively, the Bears won 15 team titles, including nine championships over the last four years. Furthermore, seven Baylor players have combined to win 12 medalist honors during Blagg's time as assistant coach.
Individually, Blagg was tabbed an assistant coach of the 2018 United States Palmer Cup team and was named the 2017 Jan Strickland Award winner – given to the assistant coach who excelled in working with their student-athletes both on the course and in the classroom.
The 2019-20 season -- Blagg's final season in Waco -- was shaping up for another regional run before COVID-19 cut the season short. The Bears ranked No. 9 nationally and recorded top-two finishes in four of six stroke-play tournaments, including titles at the Gopher Invitational and Fighting Illini Invitational. BU had multiple All-Americans for the third time in a four-year span, as Cooper Dossey became Baylor's second first-team All-American and Johnny Keefer earned honorable mention.
In 2018-19, the Bears went a perfect 5-0 to run away with the inaugural Big 12 Match Play Championship, claiming the program's first Big 12 title since 2001. Baylor players went a combined 20-5-5 in the match play tournament, culminating with a dominant 5-1 win over Kansas in the title match.
That season, the Bears recorded five top-three finishes, including third place at the NCAA Louisville Regional to secure its fourth consecutive NCAA Championship berth. Colin Kober was named the NCAA Elite 90 Award winner for a second consecutive season and claimed Big 12 Men's Golf Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors.
"When we played in the NCAA Louisville Regional at the University of Louisville Golf Club, I fell in love with the course," Blagg said. "It's a great layout, with so many challenging holes. I love the closing stretch on holes No. 16-18. The course is always in great condition and poses a challenge to our men's golfers."
The summer of 2018 Blagg's career took a giant step forward by serving as assistant coach on the U.S. Palmer Cup team, helping guide the Americans to a 38.5-21.5 victory.
In 2017-18, Blagg assisted in Baylor's run to it's to the NCAA Championship for a school record third consecutive season by finishing in third place at the NCAA Bryan Regional.
Three Baylor golfers picked up All-American recognition, with Braden Bailey, Garrett May and Matthew Perrine all honored. Additionally, Perrine was named the 2018 Byron Nelson Award winner, and Kober won the NCAA Elite 90 Award.
The 2016-17 season was the most successful year in program history, which included Blagg being named the 2017 Jan Strickland Award winner as the nation's top assistant coach.
That same season, Baylor, which earned the program's first No. 1 ranking, won four tournaments, including tying Stanford for the regional title. Baylor advanced to match play at the 2017 NCAA Championship, earning the program's best finish with a tie for fifth place after falling 3-2 in a 19th hole playoff against eventual national champion Oklahoma.
Blagg guided the Bears to their first NCAA Championship berth since 2010 during the 2015-16 season. Baylor advanced to the NCAA Kohler (Wis.) Regional, where the Bears mounted a back-nine comeback in the final round of the regional, combining for 17 birdies to finish tied for fourth and earn one of five NCAA Championship spots awarded at the regional.
In his first season with the Bears in 2012-13, Blagg helped guide the team to seven top-five finishes and earned a berth in the 2013 NCAA Pullman Regional.
Before coming to Waco, Blagg spent two seasons at Houston Baptist, where he helped the women's program win two Great West Conference championships. In 2011, he guided the Great West Conference individual medalist, player of the year and four other all-conference selections.
Prior to Houston Baptist, Blagg served as the Head Rules Official and then the Tournament Director for The Gateway Tour. He played professionally for six years on the Adams, Hooters and Nationwide Tours, recording multiple top-five finishes.
Collegiately, Blagg played at Arkansas, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications in 2002. He was named to the SEC Honor Roll each of his three seasons in Fayetteville. He began his collegiate career at Tyler Junior College, where he played for former Baylor head coach Greg Priest and led the team to the 1998 NJCAA National Championship, earning All-American and Academic All-American honors.
Blagg is married to the former Lindsay Marshall, and the couple has a son named Cooper.
What they are saying about Ryan Blagg
Baylor Head Coach Mike McGraw
"I am so thrilled for Ryan and his new opportunity. He has all the tools to be a great head coach and I have no doubt in my mind he will be successful. I am thankful for everything he gave to Baylor during his time here."
Baylor Athletic Director Mack Rhoades
"We are thrilled for Coach Blagg and his family. This is a bittersweet moment for BU Athletics; we are sad to see him leave and happy for the opportunity in front of him. Ryan will be a great addition to the University of Louisville Athletics program and will do a terrific job leading their young men in the program."
Former Baylor All-American and Byron Nelson Award winner Matthew Perrine
"Coach Blagg walked with me every step of the way during my junior and senior seasons and helped me achieve some pretty special milestones. I don't think without the help of Coach Blagg and Coach Mike McGraw the team would have reached some of the special places that we did over the years."
Former Baylor All-American and Korn Ferry Tour player Kyle Jones
"Coach Blagg is someone who truly cares about his players and wants them to succeed not only on the golf course, but off it as well. He has been wanting to be a head coach for as long as I've known him and I know he will step up and give his all. Louisville is getting a good one!
An eight-year assistant at Baylor, Blagg replaces Mark Crabtree, who retired following the season after leading the Cardinals to 11 regional and four NCAA Championship appearances.
"Ryan has been a terrific golfer and teacher of the game," Tyra said. "He is a perfect fit for the criteria we sought to lead our men's golf program and to be part of the Cardinal family. His experience at Baylor and coaching the USA team in the Palmer Cup has provided him great experience with a top ranked program and top ranked players."
During his successful run at Baylor, Blagg helped guide the Bears to seven consecutive regional and a school record four-straight NCAA Championship appearances from 2012-19, while mentoring six different players to earn All-American accolades during his time in Waco.
"I feel very blessed that Vince Tyra has entrusted me to lead the men's golf program," Blagg said. I can't wait to get started in working with these talented players at one of the nation's top university-owned golf courses. I love the culture of the athletic department and I am humbled to be a part of the UofL family. My family and I are looking forward to joining this outstanding community."
Collectively, the Bears won 15 team titles, including nine championships over the last four years. Furthermore, seven Baylor players have combined to win 12 medalist honors during Blagg's time as assistant coach.
Individually, Blagg was tabbed an assistant coach of the 2018 United States Palmer Cup team and was named the 2017 Jan Strickland Award winner – given to the assistant coach who excelled in working with their student-athletes both on the course and in the classroom.
The 2019-20 season -- Blagg's final season in Waco -- was shaping up for another regional run before COVID-19 cut the season short. The Bears ranked No. 9 nationally and recorded top-two finishes in four of six stroke-play tournaments, including titles at the Gopher Invitational and Fighting Illini Invitational. BU had multiple All-Americans for the third time in a four-year span, as Cooper Dossey became Baylor's second first-team All-American and Johnny Keefer earned honorable mention.
In 2018-19, the Bears went a perfect 5-0 to run away with the inaugural Big 12 Match Play Championship, claiming the program's first Big 12 title since 2001. Baylor players went a combined 20-5-5 in the match play tournament, culminating with a dominant 5-1 win over Kansas in the title match.
That season, the Bears recorded five top-three finishes, including third place at the NCAA Louisville Regional to secure its fourth consecutive NCAA Championship berth. Colin Kober was named the NCAA Elite 90 Award winner for a second consecutive season and claimed Big 12 Men's Golf Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors.
"When we played in the NCAA Louisville Regional at the University of Louisville Golf Club, I fell in love with the course," Blagg said. "It's a great layout, with so many challenging holes. I love the closing stretch on holes No. 16-18. The course is always in great condition and poses a challenge to our men's golfers."
The summer of 2018 Blagg's career took a giant step forward by serving as assistant coach on the U.S. Palmer Cup team, helping guide the Americans to a 38.5-21.5 victory.
In 2017-18, Blagg assisted in Baylor's run to it's to the NCAA Championship for a school record third consecutive season by finishing in third place at the NCAA Bryan Regional.
Three Baylor golfers picked up All-American recognition, with Braden Bailey, Garrett May and Matthew Perrine all honored. Additionally, Perrine was named the 2018 Byron Nelson Award winner, and Kober won the NCAA Elite 90 Award.
The 2016-17 season was the most successful year in program history, which included Blagg being named the 2017 Jan Strickland Award winner as the nation's top assistant coach.
That same season, Baylor, which earned the program's first No. 1 ranking, won four tournaments, including tying Stanford for the regional title. Baylor advanced to match play at the 2017 NCAA Championship, earning the program's best finish with a tie for fifth place after falling 3-2 in a 19th hole playoff against eventual national champion Oklahoma.
Blagg guided the Bears to their first NCAA Championship berth since 2010 during the 2015-16 season. Baylor advanced to the NCAA Kohler (Wis.) Regional, where the Bears mounted a back-nine comeback in the final round of the regional, combining for 17 birdies to finish tied for fourth and earn one of five NCAA Championship spots awarded at the regional.
In his first season with the Bears in 2012-13, Blagg helped guide the team to seven top-five finishes and earned a berth in the 2013 NCAA Pullman Regional.
Before coming to Waco, Blagg spent two seasons at Houston Baptist, where he helped the women's program win two Great West Conference championships. In 2011, he guided the Great West Conference individual medalist, player of the year and four other all-conference selections.
Prior to Houston Baptist, Blagg served as the Head Rules Official and then the Tournament Director for The Gateway Tour. He played professionally for six years on the Adams, Hooters and Nationwide Tours, recording multiple top-five finishes.
Collegiately, Blagg played at Arkansas, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications in 2002. He was named to the SEC Honor Roll each of his three seasons in Fayetteville. He began his collegiate career at Tyler Junior College, where he played for former Baylor head coach Greg Priest and led the team to the 1998 NJCAA National Championship, earning All-American and Academic All-American honors.
Blagg is married to the former Lindsay Marshall, and the couple has a son named Cooper.
What they are saying about Ryan Blagg
Baylor Head Coach Mike McGraw
"I am so thrilled for Ryan and his new opportunity. He has all the tools to be a great head coach and I have no doubt in my mind he will be successful. I am thankful for everything he gave to Baylor during his time here."
Baylor Athletic Director Mack Rhoades
"We are thrilled for Coach Blagg and his family. This is a bittersweet moment for BU Athletics; we are sad to see him leave and happy for the opportunity in front of him. Ryan will be a great addition to the University of Louisville Athletics program and will do a terrific job leading their young men in the program."
Former Baylor All-American and Byron Nelson Award winner Matthew Perrine
"Coach Blagg walked with me every step of the way during my junior and senior seasons and helped me achieve some pretty special milestones. I don't think without the help of Coach Blagg and Coach Mike McGraw the team would have reached some of the special places that we did over the years."
Former Baylor All-American and Korn Ferry Tour player Kyle Jones
"Coach Blagg is someone who truly cares about his players and wants them to succeed not only on the golf course, but off it as well. He has been wanting to be a head coach for as long as I've known him and I know he will step up and give his all. Louisville is getting a good one!
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