Jim Haughey Steps Down as Belmont Abbey Men's And Women's Golf Coach

Belmont Abbey head men's and women's golf coach Jim Haughey has stepped down from his position, effective immediately. A national search for the position will begin immediately. Haughey guided the women's program from its inception in 2005 and took over the men's program in September, 2006, quickly moving both programs to national prominence at the Division II level.

Haughey, hired in the fall of 2005 to start the women's golf program, led the Crusaders to a conference title in 2007 in just the second year of the program's existence. Playing with four freshmen and a sophomore, the Crusaders shot a single-round record of 293 on the final day, a mark that still stands today to capture the title. Haughey led the women to its first NCAA Regional in 2009 and earned another conference title and NCAA Regional appearance in 2010. In his five years directing the women, Haughey led the Abbey to two conference titles, two NCAA Regional appearances and one player qualifying for the National Championships (Carley Warrington in 2010).

Taking the reins of the men's program in September, 2006 for Doug Ehmann, Haughey promptly led the Abbey to a regional title and tie for fifth place finish at the NCAA National Championships. One year later, the Crusaders captured both the Conference Carolinas and NCAA Regional titles and finished 12th at the NCAA Championships. Haughey earned NCAA Region Coach of the Year honors for the second-straight year. Haughey guided the men's program to a pair of conference titles, four NCAA Regional appearances, winning two of those, and two NCAA National Championship appearances.

The 2009-10 year was an all-around success for both the men's and women's programs as Haughey guided both to Conference titles and NCAA Regional appearances. Five women were named all-conference and Haughey was named Coach of the Year. The women captured the conference title by 55 shots while the men closed a seven-shot gap on the final day to win by three strokes.