University of Minnesota Athletics Director Mark Coyle announced today that Minnesota native and current Minnesota assistant coach Matt Higgins has been named head coach of the Minnesota women’s golf program. The University and Higgins have agreed to a three-year term, pending the completion of a background check.
Higgins follows Rhyll Brinsmead who coached at Minnesota from 2021-2024. Higgins, who graduated from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul, has served as the program’s assistant coach since January 2021.
“I am truly honored and humbled to be the next women’s golf coach at the University of Minnesota,” said Higgins. “I want to thank Mark Coyle, Julie Manning and the search committee for placing their trust in me to be the next leader of this program. I also want to thank Coach Brinsmead for giving me the opportunity to serve as her assistant during the last three and a half years.
“Growing up in Forest Lake, Minn., and being a lifelong Gopher fan, I’ve always admired the rich history of Gopher Athletics and the Gopher golf programs. The continued investment and support from alumni, parents, donors and the golf community, along with the foundation that has been built, makes me excited about the future. From day one, I promise we will represent the Maroon and Gold, and this great state well. This is a dream come true and there is nowhere else I’d rather be. Ski-U-Mah and Go Gophers!”
This past season, Higgins helped guide sophomore Isabella McCauley to a record-breaking season. McCauley was crowned a Big Ten champion and competed individually in the NCAA postseason for the second-straight year. She was named Second Team All-Big Ten and became the first Gopher since 1989 to earn WGCA All-America honors.
“I am excited for Matt to lead our women’s golf program,” Coyle said. “He is a terrific person who excels at building relationships and maximizing potential. I know he will give his absolute best to our student-athletes and to the department in everything he does. Matt understands golf in Minnesota and is ready for this opportunity.”
Prior to his Gopher tenure, Higgins spent two years at the helm at Regis University. Before his time at Regis, Higgins served as the executive director of admissions and assistant athletics director for compliance at Upper Iowa University. He also spent time as the head golf coach at the University of Montana.
Higgins is no stranger to the Minnesota golf scene. He was the head men’s and women’s golf coach at Concordia-St. Paul for 14 years and was a two-time NSIC Women’s Golf Coach of the Year. During his tenure at Concordia, he guided both programs to championship contention. Higgins started the women’s program at CSP in 2001-02 as a club team and the Golden Bears started competing at the NCAA Division II level in 2002-03. He led the women’s program to two NCAA championship appearances.
Off the course, Higgins’ programs posted the highest grade point average in Division II three times (2009, 2014 and 2015). Additionally, the CSP women’s golf team earned the WGCA (formerly NGCA) All-Scholar Team award five times during his time with the Golden Bears.
On the national scene, Higgins served more than five years on the NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Committee, part of that time as the national chair.
Higgins Coaching Career:
2024-present: Minnesota, Head Coach
2021-24: Minnesota, Assistant Coach
2019-20: Regis University, Head Coach
2018-19: Upper Iowa University, Executive Director of Admissions
2017-18: Upper Iowa University, Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance
2015-17: University of Montana, Head Coach
2001-15: Concordia – St. Paul, Head Coach
Matt Higgins
(info and photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
