Auburn hires women's golf coach

Athletic director Jay Jacobs announced Tuesday, June 16, that Melissa Luellen has been named the new head women’s golf coach at Auburn.

Luellen has spent the last 13 years in the same position at Arizona State University, where she led the Sun Devils to a national title in 2009 and coached 14 All-Americans.

"I am thrilled to welcome Melissa Luellen to the Auburn Family as our new women's golf coach,” Jacobs said. “Coach Luellen has consistently produced winners on the course, in the classroom and in the community, and she will be a great fit at Auburn. Coach Luellen has won a National Championship and multiple conference titles, so this hiring once again demonstrates my commitment to winning championships in every sport.”

Luellen will replace Kim Evans, who stepped away from coaching to take a different position within the university. 

“I am thrilled to begin the next challenge of my coaching career at Auburn,” Luellen said. “I was able to see Auburn from the eyes of a recruit when I was brought in for my ‘official visit’ during the interview process.  Auburn has everything a coach and student-athlete could possibly want to be amazing in their sport and their life.  Kim Evans built an incredible program at Auburn. My goal is to build on what she accomplished and continue to win championships.”

The three-time Pac-10 Coach of the Year has also coached golfers who have done just as well in the classroom as on the course.

Two golfers under her watch at ASU won the Edith Cummings Munson Award, which is given each year to the All-American with the highest GPA.

“Success in the classroom is just as important to me, and I'm pleased we were able to hire a coach with multiple Edith Cummings Munson Award winners,” Jacobs said. “We have an outstanding tradition of winning in women's golf, and I look forward to Coach Luellen carrying it forward for many years to come.”