Staying on Course: Florida Southern Elevates Richey to Head Coach

LAKELAND, Fla. – After guiding Florida Southern's Men's Golf back to the NCAA Quarterfinals for the first time since spring 2019, Brian Richey '09 was promoted Thursday, June 5, to head coach of the 13-time NCAA Division II National Championship men's golf team. Richey has been serving as the interim coach since February, after Lee White '12 resigned weeks prior to the start of the season. 
 
"We are proud to make a quick decision and promote Brian as our next coach," said Drew Howard, the Director of Athletics and Dean of Wellness. "Brian not only understands the prominence of our program but lived it as a player. He was instrumental in driving this team back to the NCAA Quarterfinals this past May, and we are excited to have him continue the rich tradition of our program."

"I'm excited to be named the Head Coach at Florida Southern," Richey stated. "This is the best job in Division II golf, and the championship tradition speaks for itself. I will work hard to make the Florida Southern and Lakeland communities proud and continue the winning tradition for years to come. I care deeply about the success of this program, and I am excited for the start of next season!"

"First and foremost, I want to thank my family for always supporting me, especially as we make this transition into coaching at Florida Southern. I also want to thank Drew Howard, the athletic administration, the board of trustees, the current and former players, and the coaches on staff. I continue to be amazed by the support for our golf program."
 
This spring, en route to capturing the Sunshine State Conference title and advancing to the NCAA Quarterfinals, Florida Southern posted a 92-17-2 record in seven tournaments with four top-three place finishes. Richey helped guide the Moccasins to the first Sunshine State Conference title since 2010 when Florida Southern won by 13 strokes on April 13-15 at Rio Pinar Country Club in Orlando. The Mocs carded rounds of 286, 285, and 290 for a 54-hole event score of three-under 861.
 
Florida Southern saw four of five golfers finish in the top 10 while all five tallied top 20 finishes. Freddie Parlby finished at one-under 215 for third place while Max Barile and Tyler Mistretta were one-over 217 for fourth place. Colton Swartz, the best downhill putter in the country and 2025 PING First Team All-American, finished in 10^th at two-over 218. Jaylen Abbas rounded out the group in 16^th place at 220 (+4).

Following the league's tournament, league coaches voted Brian Richey as the Coach of the Year where the Mocs had two First Team and two Second Team honorees (1^st - Swartz and Barile; 2^nd – Mistretta and Parlby), and Swartz being tabbed the league's Golfer of the Year.

Richey added, "I want to thank the players for welcoming me back to the program this spring and for pouring everything they had into a championship effort. I can't wait for the players to come back in the fall to our brand new men's and women's golf facility at Lone Palm. It will truly be a game changer for recruiting and development for years to come. Thank you to everyone who contributed and made this vision come to life."

Richey will now take the reins of the program he once competed for and continue to build on the legacy others have laid. Assisting Richey and the student-athletes to strive for team title No. 14, is the brand new, recently opened 4,000-square-foot state-of-the-art golf only Clubhouse at Lone Palm Golf Club. The facility that has two locker rooms, two TrackMan Hitting Bays, a PuttView green, separate coaches' offices, a student-lounge, and conference room will allow the student-athletes to elevate their game to the highest level to compete in the best region in the country.
 

Doug Gordin – Former Moccasin Coach (1995-2018), Six-Time National Champion Coach
I am very happy that my former player, Brian Richey, has been named the new coach to lead the Mocs forward! He proved to me this spring that he is an excellent coach who gets the most out of his players! Since he was in our program for five years, he has a deep appreciation and love for what Mocs golf is all about. His knowledge and experience in the game is tremendous and he will pass that all to his players. He is a class act who will represent Mocs golf impeccably, and I am very proud of him and excited about the future of Mocs golf!
 
Clay Tucker – FSC Alumni (2021-2025)
Brian came in and had an immediate impact on the guys, on and off the course. His ability to connect with each member of the team was awesome to see, and it was evident in how we played the second half of the year. Super excited to see where he takes the program in the future, wouldn't be surprised to see a National Championship soon.
 
Donte Groppuso – FSC Men's Golfer (2023-present)
Coach Richey immediately impacted our team in a positive way. With so many changes in college sports, I think that the experience that he brings as an alumnus and as a professional player at the highest levels is something very special and not many schools in the country can say they have. He will for sure continue the legacy and history that all the other great coaches and players have left behind.
 
Colton Swartz – FSC Men's Golfer (2023-present)
We are very fortunate to have Brian as our head coach for the future. He helped us develop as people and golfers and brought us together as a team. He's a great leader of young men and great to play and fight for. The future is bright for Moc nation.

Max Barile - FSC Men's Golfer (2021-present)
Coach Richey has been a great fit for us. He stepped in and kept things steady, but also brought his own energy. It's been easy to trust him because he cares about us, not just as golfers but as people. We're excited he's sticking around.

Tyler Mistretta - FSC Men's Golfer (2021-present)
We couldn't be more excited to have Brian as our head coach for years to come. When he came in, he made an immediate impact, giving us so much advice and insight from his years on tour about putting and course management. He cares about all of us, he worked incredibly hard to do everything he could to help us perform, and we brought him, our team, and our school immediate success with his help. He is a great addition to the Moc family! Let's go win a Natty!