University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Hire Higgins as Assistant Coach
1/25/2021 5:00:00 PM | Women's Golf
University of Minnesota head women's golf coach Rhyll Brinsmead has announced that Matt Higgins is joining the Gopher women's golf staff as the assistant coach. Higgins comes to Minnesota with a magnitude of experience and a strong history of success. Most recently, he served as the head men's and women's golf coach at Regis University.
"We are very excited to announce the hiring of Matt Higgins" Brinsmead said. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and years of experience to the program. My focus in hiring an assistant was player development and Matt's resume hit every aspect we were looking for. Our coaching styles will complement each other well and we are eager to get this spring season started."
Higgins spent two years at the helm at Regis University. In his first year as head coach, Higgins was able to lead the program to success despite the abrupt end to the season due to Covid-19 health concerns. Notably, the Regis women's golf team earned third place in the RMAC Fall Preview in Pueblo, Colo. and took fourth place in the Warrior Vegas Invitational in Las Vegas, Nev. The men's golf team took fourth in the Golf Week D2 Fall Invitational.
"Being able to come home and represent the Gophers is definitely a dream come true," Higgins said. "I would like to thank Coach Brinsmead, Julie Manning and the search committee for giving me this opportunity. I can't wait to meet the team and get to work. I have no doubt exciting times are in the near future for the program!"
Before his time at Regis, Higgins served as the executive director of admissions and assistant athletics director for compliance at Upper Iowa University. He also spent time as the head golf coach at the University of Montana.
Higgins is no stranger to the Minnesota golf scene. He served as the head men's and women's golf coach at Concordia - St. Paul for 14 years and was a two-time NSIC Women's Golf Coach of the Year during his stint. Higgins started the women's program at CSP in 2001-02 as a club team and the Golden Bears started competing at the NCAA Division II level in 2002-03. The men's program began competing in NCAA Division II in 2004-05. At Concordia, he led the women's program to two NCAA National Championship appearances and the 2009 NSIC Conference Championship.
On the national scene, Higgins served more than five years on the NCAA Division II Women's Golf Committee, part of that time as the national chair.
Off the course, Higgins' programs have posted the highest grade point average in Division II three times (2009, 2014 and 2015). Additionally, the Concordia women's golf team earned the WGCA (formerly NGCA) All-Scholar Team award five times during his time with the Golden Bears.
A Minnesota native, Higgins earned his degree in Christian ministry from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul in 2014.
History:
2019-20 Regis University, Head Coach
2018-19 Upper Iowa University, Executive Director of Admissions
2017-18 Upper Iowa University, Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance
2015-17 University of Montana, Head Coach
2001-15 Concordia - St. Paul, Head Coach
"We are very excited to announce the hiring of Matt Higgins" Brinsmead said. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and years of experience to the program. My focus in hiring an assistant was player development and Matt's resume hit every aspect we were looking for. Our coaching styles will complement each other well and we are eager to get this spring season started."
Higgins spent two years at the helm at Regis University. In his first year as head coach, Higgins was able to lead the program to success despite the abrupt end to the season due to Covid-19 health concerns. Notably, the Regis women's golf team earned third place in the RMAC Fall Preview in Pueblo, Colo. and took fourth place in the Warrior Vegas Invitational in Las Vegas, Nev. The men's golf team took fourth in the Golf Week D2 Fall Invitational.
"Being able to come home and represent the Gophers is definitely a dream come true," Higgins said. "I would like to thank Coach Brinsmead, Julie Manning and the search committee for giving me this opportunity. I can't wait to meet the team and get to work. I have no doubt exciting times are in the near future for the program!"
Before his time at Regis, Higgins served as the executive director of admissions and assistant athletics director for compliance at Upper Iowa University. He also spent time as the head golf coach at the University of Montana.
Higgins is no stranger to the Minnesota golf scene. He served as the head men's and women's golf coach at Concordia - St. Paul for 14 years and was a two-time NSIC Women's Golf Coach of the Year during his stint. Higgins started the women's program at CSP in 2001-02 as a club team and the Golden Bears started competing at the NCAA Division II level in 2002-03. The men's program began competing in NCAA Division II in 2004-05. At Concordia, he led the women's program to two NCAA National Championship appearances and the 2009 NSIC Conference Championship.
On the national scene, Higgins served more than five years on the NCAA Division II Women's Golf Committee, part of that time as the national chair.
Off the course, Higgins' programs have posted the highest grade point average in Division II three times (2009, 2014 and 2015). Additionally, the Concordia women's golf team earned the WGCA (formerly NGCA) All-Scholar Team award five times during his time with the Golden Bears.
A Minnesota native, Higgins earned his degree in Christian ministry from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul in 2014.
History:
2019-20 Regis University, Head Coach
2018-19 Upper Iowa University, Executive Director of Admissions
2017-18 Upper Iowa University, Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance
2015-17 University of Montana, Head Coach
2001-15 Concordia - St. Paul, Head Coach
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