SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Director of Athletics Larry Williams announced on Friday that Jalen Griffin, who has served as an assistant and associate coach for both the men's and women's golf programs at the University of San Francisco since 2019, has been elevated to head coach. 
 
Jack Kennedy, who led the Dons to four NCAA Regional appearances and two NCAA Championship appearances across his eight years on the Hilltop, accepted the head coaching job at Colorado State on Friday.
 
"We certainly wish Jack Kennedy much success in his new venture," said Williams. "He was able to accomplish amazing things in our men's golf program and we are grateful for his indelible contributions. At the same time, are so fortunate to be able to pass the leadership mantle to a key driving force of those accomplishment, current associate head coach, Jalen Griffin. Jalen's commitment to both the men's and women's golf programs has been remarkable, demonstrating tremendous talent in recruiting, player development, and program operations. Maybe best of all is that Jalen is a former USF golfer; he is a product of and continues to exude the very values of this great institution."
 
After a decorated playing career at USF, which included appearing in 35 total tournaments, All-WCC honors and a NCAA Regional team appearance his senior year (2017-18), Griffin has continued to help the San Francisco golf programs excel as the green and gold have experienced unprecedented success since his arrival as a volunteer assistant coach in Aug. 2019. After adding a full-time role with the women's program in 2022-23, Griffin was promoted to associate head coach for both programs in July 2023.
 
"It is an honor to be named the next head men's golf coach at USF," said Griffin.  "My alma mater, my home for the past ten years, and the program I've poured so much into to get to where we are today. We've been making steps over the years to get on the biggest stage in college golf and achieved historic success with national championship appearances in 2021 and 2023. I look to continue that momentum and go on another journey for ourselves again. I will work each and every day to get the most out of my team, give them the best possible student-athlete experience and build a pathway for each of them to be successful professionals after their time here at USF.  Thank you to Larry Williams for believing in me to lead this program and I can't be more excited to get this season going. Go Dons!"
 
This past year, San Francisco men's golf secured the team title at the Mark Simpson Intercollegiate at Colorado National Golf Club in Erie, Colo. on Oct. 2 + 3. Individually, three Dons finished within the top six to help USF bring home the hardware. Continuing their postseason trend, Jakob Melin earned All-WCC honors for the second straight year in 2023-24 before tying for 31st at the NCAA's Stanford Regional. On the women's side, Riana Mission (2x), Eva Pett and Yvonne Shang all earned All-WCC honors while Mission qualified for the NCAA's Cle Elum Regional. Appearing in the postseason as an individual for the second time in three years, Mission went on to tie for 24th overall in the field.

In the spring of 2023, San Francisco impressed throughout the season as three straight top five finishes as a team, including a second place finish at the West Coast Conference Championships, catapulted the Dons to a No. 45 ranking and the No. 8 seed in the 2023 NCAA Division I Men's Golf Tournament. At the Las Vegas Regional, USF would go on to break records as the green and gold shot 45-under as a team to shatter their previous mark of 41-under, which was set in 2021. Individually, Matthew Anderson tied for individual medal as three Dons finished in the top 25. Advancing to the national championship round, San Francisco went on to finish as the No. 20 team in the country, which included Anderson finishing as the top individual from a non-advancing team. Finishing eleventh overall, Anderson earned All-American status (top 15 individuals).
 
Just two years earlier, San Francisco men's golf won a historic four of out six regular season tournaments in the spring of 2021 as a team and finished second overall at NCAA Regionals. Ultimately, the Dons were ranked 19th in the country and would head to the NCAA Championships for the first time in program history. The following year (2021-22), the program advanced to NCAA Regionals for the second straight year. 
 
Overall, USF has secured ten team wins and six individual medalists during Griffin's tenure. Additionally, thirteen student-athletes have earned All-WCC honors, two have earned PING All-Region and two have been named All-Americans.

With his appointment as head coach, Griffin is now the youngest head coach (28) in Division I men's golf.
 
For updates and more information on the University of San Francisco men's golf program, please follow the Dons @USFDonsMensGolf on Twitter, @USFDonsGolf on Instagram and @USFDonsMensGolf on Facebook.