LEXINGTON, Ky. — Gator Todd, a former professional golfer and currently the associate head coach at No. 1-ranked Vanderbilt, will be the new head coach of the Kentucky men’s golf team, director of athletics Mitch Barnhart recently announced.
Todd is in his sixth season at Vanderbilt. Working alongside Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh, Todd has helped lead VU to four top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships, the first two NCAA Regional championships in school history and two Southeastern Conference crowns.
“We are all thrilled for Gator and Mary Katherine as they embark on this new chapter in their lives,” Limbaugh said. “Our Vandy Golf family is really close and they have been a huge part of it and will continue to be. I am so appreciative for all they gave for the last six years.
“Gator is a friend that will certainly be missed here and I know he and MK will do an excellent job at Kentucky. We are excited to lock in together and help this team finish this season the right way.”
To this point during Todd’s time in Nashville, the Commodores have accumulated 22 regular-season and postseason tournament titles. VU has totaled 14 All-Americans—including five first-team honorees—18 All-Region selections, three SEC Players of the Year and 14 first- and second-team All-SEC choices, with the 2023 honorees yet to be announced in all categories.
The current edition of the Commodores are ranked No. 1 in the nation heading into its NCAA Regional, set for May 15-17 at Auburn. Individually, 2022 NCAA Champion Gordon Sargent is a finalist for the Ben Hogan Award as the top collegiate golfer in the nation, while Matthew Riedel is a finalist for the Byron Nelson Award as the scholar-athlete of the year in college golf.
“It has been an incredible ride the past six years at Vanderbilt University,” Todd said. “I cannot thank coach Limbaugh enough for his mentorship and the way he has helped mold me into the coach I am today. I also want to thank Candice Lee who has gone above and beyond in taking care of me during my time in Nashville. Our student-athletes are some of the most special young people I’ve ever been around and I will miss you boys so much. I look forward to finishing out the NCAA Tournament with Vanderbilt.
“I’d like to thank Mitch Barnhart for believing in me and my vision for Kentucky men’s golf. This is a dream scenario for my family and me, we could not be more excited to plant our roots in Lexington. I…
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