ASU hires men's golf coach from Washington

Arizona State is staying within the Pac-12 for its  latest coaching hire, bringing in Matt Thurmond from Washington to take over men's golf.

Thurmond is the 14th current coach hired by ASU Vice President for Athletics Ray Anderson in 2 1/2 years. He replaces Tim Mickelson, who resigned July 13 after five years to pursue other interests.

In 15 seasons at Washington, Thurmond's teams made 12 NCAA Tournament appearances and had seven top-10 finishes. The Huskies were third at nationals in 2005 and 2009 and fourth in 2010.  Thurmond was Golfweek natoinal Coach of the Year in 2009 and Pac-10/12 Coach of the Year twice.

“Matt Thurmond’s background at Washington and his record of success is right in line with the direction we are headed with the men’s golf program,” Anderson said in a statement. “He embraces the concept of family and the success that community embeddedness can bring to a program. Beyond his ability to coach top-level talent, his skill at directing capital projects and fundraising within the golf community will prove invaluable in establishing the program’s future home at Papago Golf Course.”

RELATED: ASU men's golf coach Tim Mickelson steps down

Karsten Golf Course is part of the ASU athletic facilities district and at some point will be removed as the district is developed, providing an ongoing revenue stream for athletic capital projects.

“I’m the subject of today, but our program will be about our athletes,” Thurmond said. "I’m here to serve them and to establish a culture where they can achieve their biggest dreams and have the best four years of their lives.  We’ll work hard, have fun, improve and build meaningful relationships."

Thurmond led fundraising for the Husky Golf Course and The Playground practice facility. He was a Washington assistant before taking over the men's program at age 26 in 2001. Thurmond was a golfer at BYU from 1993-99, taking off 1994 for a church mission in Venezuela. He is married with three daughters.

ASU men's golf won NCAA titles in 1990 and 1996 and four Sun Devils have won six national individual titles.

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Other current coaches hired by Anderson are: Zeke Jones (wrestling), Tracy Smith (baseball), Greg Powers (hockey), Bobby Hurley (men's basketball), Bob Bowman (men's and women's swimming), Missy Farr-Kaye (women's golf), Courtney Martinez Connor (women's lacrosse), Cliff English (women's triathlon), Stevie Mussie (volleyball), Brad Keenan (beach volleyball), Jay Santos (women's gymnastics), Trisha Ford (softball) and Matt Hill (men's tennis).

ASU's head coaching staff is now filled for 2016-17.

ASU men's golf coaches

Aaron McCreary (1931)
Joe Selleh (1932)
Earl Pomeroy (1940)
Bill Quinn (1948-49)
Al Onofrio (1952-56)
John Zuchowski (1958)
Francis E. Markham (1959-60)
Bill Mann  (1961-74)
George Boutell (1975-86)
Steve Loy (1987-92)
Randy Lein (1992-2011)
Tim Mickelson (2011-16)

Matt Thurmond, 2016-present