Women's Golf
- Title:
- Head Coach
Twelve-year LPGA Tour player and 2008 SEC Coach of the Year Jill Briles-Hinton is in her second year as head coach at the University of Richmond.
Briles-Hinton came to Richmond after a 11-year stint at the University of Florida, where she led the Gators to six NCAA Championship appearances and the 2008 NCAA East Regional title.
"I'm excited to be here at the University of Richmond," Briles-Hinton said. "It's a great opportunity and I'm very appreciative of that opportunity. My vision is to help take Richmond to the next level, starting off winning in the conference and then on the national level. I'm ready for the challenge."
"Jill's success as a head coach and on the LPGA Tour puts her an excellent position to lead our women's golf program and mentor our student-athletes," Richmond athletic director Jim Miller said.
Under the direction of Briles-Hinton, Florida qualified for the NCAA Championships six times, posting five Top-10 finishes in her last eight seasons. She led the Gators to a tie for sixth-place at both the 2002 and 2006 NCAA Championships and a ninth-place finish in 2008.
After the Gators did not make the NCAA Regionals in her first season of 1998-99, Briles-Hinton led Florida to 10-straight NCAA Regional appearances, including three top-5 finishes. The 2007-08 Gators won the 2008 East Regional title by one shot over top-ranked Duke.
At the Southeastern Conference Championships, Briles-Hinton guided the Gators to top-six finishes in nine of her last 10 years, including the 2008 SEC Championship for which she earned SEC Coach of the Year honors. She led the Gators to 16 tournament titles and coached 19 All-SEC selections, along with recruiting and coaching four future LPGA Tour players.
The former Academic All-American at Miami (Fla.), clearly promotes success both on the golf course and in the classroom with 69 Gators earning academic honors, including Verizon Academic All-District, SEC and National Golf Coaches Association accolades.
"Jill accomplishments as a player and coach speak for themselves," said Richmond Assistant Athletic director/Senior Women's Administrator and former women's golf coach LaRee Sugg said. "Her coaching philosophy revolves around coaching the whole person which makes her a great fit for the university. I look forward to watching the women's golf program develop under her leadership."
Briles-Hinton was an exempt member on the LPGA Tour for 12 years, posting her top individual finish of second on three different occasions. As a rookie on Tour in 1987, she tied for second place at the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic. She also finished as the runner-up at the 1988 Mitsubishi Motors Ocean State Open and the 1994 Children's Medical Center Classic.
In 1991, she was presented with the inaugural Budget Service Award for her contributions to junior golf. In '94, Briles-Hinton received the William and Mousie Powell Award, which is given to the LPGA member who, by her behavior and deeds, best exemplifies the spirit, ideas and values of the LPGA. She posted her career-low round of 66 three times during her LPGA career - first at the 1990 MBS LPGA Classic and again at the 1992 PING Welch's Championship. She later led the 1995 U.S. Open after the first round with a Broadmoor Course record of four-under par 66.
A 1986 graduate of the University of Miami (Fla.), Briles-Hinton played two seasons for the Hurricanes, who finished fifth in 1985 and runner-up to Florida in 1986 at the NCAA Championships. As a senior at the 1986 NCAAs, Briles-Hinton led Miami by finishing in a seventh-place tie in the individual standings.
She received her bachelor's degree in education from Miami in 1986 and was a member of the All-America Scholar Golf Team. Briles-Hinton completed her master's degree in sports management at Nova Southeastern with a 4.0 GPA in 2006.
In July 2003, Briles-Hinton successfully completed all requirements for the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Membership Class A Certification. She is one of the few collegiate coaches who are dual members of the LPGA Tour and the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Membership, and have Class A status.
