Gator Country

Florida men's golf coach Buddy Alexander announced the hiring of John Handrigan on Monday to replace former assistant Steve Bradley. / Gator Country file photo by Tim Casey

John Handrigan has been named the new assistant men’s golf coach at Florida, head coach Buddy Alexander announced Monday. Handrigan, who comes to the Gators with 10 years of coaching experience at the Division I and II levels, replaces Steve Bradley who was recently named head men’s golf coach at Mercer.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity that Buddy and the University of Florida have given me to be a part of a prestigious athletic and golf program,” Handrigan said. “I’m excited to get the season underway and am looking forward to the challenge of helping the Gators defend the SEC Championship.”

“I’m really excited to have John join our program,” Alexander said. “He has more experience than any assistant that I’ve had – by far. He has a record of success and really impressed me with his knowledge and enthusiasm during the interview process. He’s a great young mind in our game and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Most recently, Handrigan served as the assistant men’s golf coach at the University of Kansas where he helped the Jayhawks to new heights during his two seasons with the program. Handrigan helped coach the team to a pair of tournament victories in 2010 and a top-50 national ranking. Additionally, the Jayhawks saw a pair of players reach the NCAA Regional in 2010 and 2011. Handrigan helped KU sign three nationally ranked recruits for 2011 and was instrumental in obtaining a TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) certified training staff for golf specific workouts for the Kansas program.

Prior to his time in Lawrence, Handrigan served as the head men’s and women’s golf coach at Queens University of Charlotte. With the Royals, Handrigan was named the Conference Carolinas 2009 Women’s Golf Coach of the Year after leading a team that set school records for individual and team low rounds. Handrigan also achieved success with the men’s program leading multiple players to the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championships. 

Before he coached at Queens, Handrigan was the head men’s golf coach at Coker College in Hartsville, S.C. While with the Cobras, Handrigan achieved great success leading the program to its first National Championship during the 2006 season. For his efforts coaching Coker College, Handrigan was named the 2006 NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Coach of the Year in 2006, and the Carolina Virginia Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2005.

Handrigan went to Coker after serving as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Saint Francis University. Handrigan, who earned his MBA while working as an assistant for the Red Flash, got into coaching immediately following a successful playing career. As a student-athlete, Handrigan was the Red Flash’s golfer of the year all four years of his career and was named SFU’s male student-athlete of the year following his senior season.

Handrigan, who competed on the Canadian Golf Tour, is a member of the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA), the Chairman of the PING All-Region Selection Committee and a member of the GCAA/Bridgestone Coaches Ranking/Selection Committee.

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