Bradley Named South Carolina Men's Golf Head Coach

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Rob Bradley, who led Purdue University’s men’s golf program to nine NCAA Regionals and four NCAA Championship appearances in 11 seasons from 2013-24, has been named men’s golf coach at the University of South Carolina, Athletics Director Ray Tanner announced today.

Bradley comes to South Carolina on the heels of leading the Boilermakers this season to a third-place finish at the Big Ten Championship and a second-place finish in the NCAA West Lafayette Regional that punched the program’s ticket to the NCAA Championship for the 30^th time in school history. The Boilermakers won two tournaments and finished in the top three in eight of 12 events during the 2023-24 season.

“After visiting with Rob Bradley, it became clear that he has the passion, vision and positive outlook to lead our men’s golf program,” said Tanner.  “His success as someone who can build a program and develop young men is well-documented.  I am excited about the future of our men’s golf program under Rob’s direction.”

Under Bradley’s tutelage, Purdue has posted nine of the 10 best team stroke averages in school history, including this past season’s average of 287.57, which was second best in school history.  The Boilermakers had the second most appearances in the NCAA Championship from the Big Ten the last 11 seasons, trailing only Illinois.

Bradley had 14 different players earn a total of 18 All-Big Ten honors in his time in West Lafyette. He coached a pair of All-Americans, the first at Purdue in men’s golf since 2004. Herman Sekne, a two-time All-American and two-time First Team All-Big Ten selection, became just the second Big Ten Player of the Year in program history this past season.

At Purdue, Bradley has had numerous golfers enter the professional ranks.  This season is Adam Schenk’s fourth competing in the FedEx Cup.  He finished tied for fifth in the Valero Texas Open and tied for 12^th in his debut at The Masters this season.  Last season, Schenk finished 24^th in the FedEx Cup and made the second stage of the playoffs for the first time in his career. He has played in 202 PGA TOUR events with 121 cuts made, 17 top-10s, seven top-fives and a pair of runner-up finishes. Schenk is currently ranked No. 51 in the latest Official World Golf Rankings.

In addition, Joe Weiler plays on the Korn Ferry Tour, while Stuart Macdonald, Brian Carlson, Luis Fernando Barco, Cole Bradley and Andrew Farraye are all currently playing on PGA TOUR Americas.

Bradley also has a strong history of developing coaches. Three former assistant coaches under him at Purdue are current head coaches with success at their new stops. Jake Amos was recently named the new head men’s golf coach at LSU after helping East Tennessee State to four straight NCAA Championship appearances, while Mitch Kruwulycz reached the 2022 NCAA Championship with the College of Charleston. Austin Eoff serves as the head coach at Little Rock after spending one season as the head coach at Central Arkansas from 2022-23.

“It is very exciting to be the next men’s golf coach at South Carolina,” said Bradley. “I want to thank Ray Tanner for believing in me and giving me this tremendous opportunity. The SEC is a golf powerhouse and I’m looking forward to competing against the best teams in college golf. South Carolina is synonymous in the game of golf, and it’s important for me to build strong relationships across the state. Player development and course management are important teaching elements for me and our goal will be to compete at the highest-level year in and year out here.”

Bradley, a former player of Devon Brouse’s at North Carolina, was named Purdue head men’s golf coach on July 10, 2013. He spent the 2012-13 season as an assistant coach at Alabama under Jay Seawell, where he helped guide the Crimson Tide to an SEC Championship and National Championship. Seawell is a 1988 South Carolina graduate and was a letterman on the golf team.

Prior to Alabama, Bradley enjoyed a successful three-year tenure as an assistant at the University of North Florida (2009-12), during which the Ospreys qualified for NCAA Regionals three times and advanced to the NCAA Championship twice, finishing 14th in 2011 and tied for 12th in 2012.

During his time at UNF under longtime head coach Scott Schroeder, Bradley helped tutor two players who combined for three All-America honors. Sean Dale was a two-time All-American, earning second team honors in 2010 and third team accolades in 2012. Kevin Aylwin garnered honorable mention recognition in 2012.

Bradley was a four-year starter for Brouse at North Carolina before embarking on a professional career. During his time in Chapel Hill, he helped lead the Tar Heels to nine tournament victories, two ACC Championships, four NCAA appearances and a third-place finish at the 1993 NCAA Championships.

The 2012 graduate of Excelsior College spent seven years as a full member of the Nationwide Tour (1997, 2000-04 and 2008) and was a two-time participant in the U.S. Open (1997 and 2003). He was a six-time finalist at the PGA’s Q-School and won the 1999 Kentucky Open Championship. Bradley also claimed the 1995 New Jersey State Amateur Championship.

Bradley and his wife, Chastity, have a son, Cole, and a daughter, Wesley. His son Cole played for him at Purdue and was an All-American for the Boilermakers.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT BRADLEY

“Rob has always done a great job of relationship building with his players to help them buy into the plan he has while allowing them to chase their goals as a golfer. That trait will help make him successful in building the South Carolina golf program. He has had success everywhere he has been and will continue to do that leading the Gamecocks.” – North Florida Head Men’s Golf Coach Scott Schroeder (led Ospreys to 14-straight NCAA Regionals and Seven NCAA Championships)

“Rob Bradley is an amazing golf coach and an even better man. He’s been a great friend and someone I’ve admired for a long time. Rob is going to make the SEC even more difficult. South Carolina got a great human being to lead their golf program forward.” – Florida Head Men’s Golf Coach J.C. Deacon (2023 SEC and NCAA Champion)

“I am confident that Rob Bradley will elevate the Gamecock men’s golf program to a high level of success. He is a highly experienced head coach and tenacious recruiter. He also possesses the ability to build strong relationships with his players and members of the tight-knit golf community.  I look forward to working together with coach Bradley to advance Gamecock golf forward into the future for many years to come.” – South Carolina Head Women’s Golf Coach Kalen Anderson

###