Tarleton’s legendary golf whisperer Jerry Doyle announces his retirement

Doyle's dynasty include 14-time coach of the year & 10 LSC titles in 11-year span

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STEPHENVILLE – Jerry Doyle, the winningest women’s golf coach in Tarleton and Lone Star Conference history, has decided to call it a career and announced his retirement.

A press conference officially announcing Doyle’s retirement is set for Wednesday, June 27 at 4 p.m. in the lobby of Wisdom Gym. Athletic Director Lonn Reisman will also name the new head coach for Tarleton women’s golf at that time. The press conference is open to the public. There will be a retirement reception in the Thompson Student Center on Thursday, June 28 from 2-4 p.m., which is also open to the public.

“Jerry Doyle put Tarleton Golf on the map from the moment he stepped foot on campus,” said Lonn Reisman. “He’s been a tremendous asset to our university, athletic department and the community. I’ve always said as an athletic director, you’re only as good as the coaches you hire and Tarleton has had the best in the country in Jerry Doyle.”

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It was a legendary career for Doyle, who came to Tarleton in 2000, and made the TexAnns an instant national contender.

“I would like to thank Lonn Reisman and Dr. Lamar Johanson, who recruited me to come work at Tarleton, for giving me the opportunity to do what I love and coach golf,” said Jerry Doyle. “I’d also like to thank the university presidents who have supported me over my 18 years here, Dr. Dennis McCabe and Dr. F. Dominic Dottavio.

“The program wouldn’t be where it is today without all the past and former players I’ve been fortunate enough to coach,” Doyle added. “They are the ones who made me look good. I’d also like to thank my wife, Cathy because she’s been a part of this program from day one and I couldn’t have done it without her. It’s been a great ride here at Tarleton, but it’s time to hand the keys over to someone else.”

Doyle’s accomplishments reached double digits across championships and coaching awards during his 18 years at the helm.

A 14-time coach of the year, Doyle is viewed as one of the nation’s best – at any level. Doyle is a 10-time LSC Coach of the Year and three-time Women’s Golf Coaches Association West Regional Coach of the Year. But Doyle’s most prestigious individual award came in 2008, when he was named the WGCA National Coach of the Year.

His tenure has been viewed as the Doyle Dynasty, because from 2008-18, Doyle led the TexAnns to 10 Lone Star Conference championships in 11 years – including seven consecutive titles from 2008-14. Doyle’s 11 LSC Championships are more than double of any LSC team (Northeastern State, 5) and no current LSC team has more than one.

Doyle’s dominance extended past conference play and into the national level. The TexAnns won nine NCAA West Regional Championships in 10 seasons under Doyle, including six straight from 2007-12.
The TexAnns advanced to the NCAA Golf Championships 10 times under Doyle, finishing in the top five on seven different occasions. The TexAnns’ best national finish under Doyle came in 2014 when they placed third overall.

During Doyle’s career, the TexAnns won 73 tournaments, an average of four per year. Doyle and the TexAnns won at least five tournaments in a season seven times, including a single-season best nine tournament wins (out of 12) in 2007-08. From 2007-16, the TexAnns won 57 of its 106 tournaments (54 percent) and averaged six tournament wins a season.

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As good of a coach as Doyle was, he might have been a better recruiter. In the Doyle era, the TexAnns had 11 LSC Player of the Year winners, including 10 straight selections. The TexAnns had seven LSC Freshman of the Year winners and one LSC Newcomer of the Year. Doyle coached 51 All-LSC players, including 32 first-team selections. He also thrived in recruiting players who excel academically. The TexAnns had eight LSC Academic Players of the Year and 15 players on the all-academic team.

In 2016, Isabel Jimenez-Perea received the PING WGCA Division II National Player of the Year under Doyle’s guidance – the first in program and LSC history. He also had the WGCA National Freshman of the Year in Sharon Lau. Doyle coached 21 WGCA All-Americans with seven first-team selections.

Prior to joining the Tarleton coaching staff, Doyle worked in the golfing industry for 19 years teaching the sport and building clubs.

A native of Eastland, Doyle earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Tarleton in 1975.

He is married to Cathy Doyle, who serves as the athletic secretary for Tarleton. They have a daughter, Candi Kanady, who graduated from Tarleton as well. Doyle has one granddaughter, Chelsi. The Doyle’s reside in Eastland.

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