Former PGA Tour Player, Irish Native Named MG Assistant
2/16/2026 12:01:00 PM | Men's Golf
Clemson All-American, Hall of Famer joins Murphy’s staff at Baylor
WACO, Texas – Former Clemson All-American, PGA Tour player and longtime golf instructor Richie Coughlan has been named the assistant coach for the men's golf program, interim head coach Ryan Murphy announced Monday.
A native of Ireland, Coughlan was an All-American at Clemson in 1997 and became the first pro player in history to qualify for the PGA and European Tour in his rookie season. An instructor for the last 20 years, he was named the PGA Tour Academy Instructor of the Year in 2014 and was a volunteer assistant for the University of Texas' 2022 national championship team.
"We are fortunate to have Richie joining us," Murphy said. "He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about the game into our program. He was an All-American in college, played on the PGA Tour and also has some great experience in instruction and coaching in the college ranks. I'm excited for the guys to get to know Richie and very happy that he is joining us."
A two-time ACC Player of the Year (1996-97), Coughlan was named to the ACC 50-Year Anniversary Team in 2003 and was inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame in 2017. As a PGA Tour rookie in 1998, he made 18 of 26 cuts and recorded four top-25 finishes, finishing 151st on the PGA Tour Money List.
Coughlan earned his PGA Tour card back in 2001 and also played on the Nationwide Tour through the end of the 2005 season.
Over the last 20 years, Coughlan has served as a golf instructor and teaching pro in New York, Florida, Oklahoma and Texas and was with the UT men's golf program for five years.
"My goal as a coach is to give each student-athlete the opportunity to maximize his potential, compete at the highest possible level and on a consistently basis," Coughlan said. "My coaching philosophy encompasses both hard work in the classroom, at practice and in competition."
Coughlan joins Murphy, who was named interim head coach last month when legendary coach Mike McGraw announced his retirement.
After a fifth-place finish at the Bentwater Intercollegiate, the Bears will compete in the Cabo Collegiate on March 1-3 at Twin Dolphin Club in Los Cabos, Mexico.
For the latest news on the Baylor men's golf team all year long, follow its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BaylorMGolf.
- BaylorBears.com
A native of Ireland, Coughlan was an All-American at Clemson in 1997 and became the first pro player in history to qualify for the PGA and European Tour in his rookie season. An instructor for the last 20 years, he was named the PGA Tour Academy Instructor of the Year in 2014 and was a volunteer assistant for the University of Texas' 2022 national championship team."We are fortunate to have Richie joining us," Murphy said. "He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about the game into our program. He was an All-American in college, played on the PGA Tour and also has some great experience in instruction and coaching in the college ranks. I'm excited for the guys to get to know Richie and very happy that he is joining us."
A two-time ACC Player of the Year (1996-97), Coughlan was named to the ACC 50-Year Anniversary Team in 2003 and was inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame in 2017. As a PGA Tour rookie in 1998, he made 18 of 26 cuts and recorded four top-25 finishes, finishing 151st on the PGA Tour Money List.
Coughlan earned his PGA Tour card back in 2001 and also played on the Nationwide Tour through the end of the 2005 season.
Over the last 20 years, Coughlan has served as a golf instructor and teaching pro in New York, Florida, Oklahoma and Texas and was with the UT men's golf program for five years.
"My goal as a coach is to give each student-athlete the opportunity to maximize his potential, compete at the highest possible level and on a consistently basis," Coughlan said. "My coaching philosophy encompasses both hard work in the classroom, at practice and in competition."
Coughlan joins Murphy, who was named interim head coach last month when legendary coach Mike McGraw announced his retirement.
After a fifth-place finish at the Bentwater Intercollegiate, the Bears will compete in the Cabo Collegiate on March 1-3 at Twin Dolphin Club in Los Cabos, Mexico.
For the latest news on the Baylor men's golf team all year long, follow its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BaylorMGolf.
- BaylorBears.com
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