Dec. 14, 2008

SEATTLE - Former Washington golf coach O.D. Vincent has been named to the position of senior associate director of athletics at the University of Washington, director of athletics Scott Woodward announced today.

Vincent will be a key senior member of the athletic department's management team. He will also oversee the day-to-day operations for football as well as men's and women's rowing, tennis and swimming. Additionally, Vincent will supervise the athletic communications and marketing units within the department.

"I'm extremely pleased to welcome O.D. back to Washington," said Woodward. "When I met him, I was immediately impressed with his intellect and his passion for the University of Washington. O.D. has a great perspective and he is certain to quickly build a strong rapport with our coaches. He has been successful at every endeavor he's undertaken and I expect him to attain the same levels of success in this administrative role at his alma mater."

Vincent will begin his duties on Tuesday.

"Over the years I have had a number of thoughts regarding athletic administration," said Vincent. "I am excited for the opportunity to start this new chapter back home at the University of Washington. I am extremely impressed with the vision that President Emmert and Mr Woodward have for the athletic department. Professionally and personally, it is a great fit."

Vincent leaves his position as men's golf coach at Duke, where he has served for the last season-and-a-half. Last season, he led the Blue Devils to two tournament victories and a second-place finish at the Atlantic Coast Conference championships.

Previously Vincent served as the head coach at UCLA from 2002-2007, where he led the Bruins to a pair of Pacific-10 Conference titles and four top-10 NCAA Tournaments finishes. While at UCLA he upgraded the school's on-campus practice facilities, implemented a successful fundraising plan and recruited some of the nation's top golfers. In 2005 and 2006 the Bruins' program was proclaimed the nation's "Best Balanced" by Golf Digest, which ranks more than 1,000 schools' academics, facilities, coaching, climate and golf. He coached eight All-Americas, 12 all-conference performers, three Pac-10 All-Academic team members and three Academic All-Americas at UCLA.

A 1991 Washington graduate, Vincent began his career coaching the Huskies' men's golf team from 1995 to 2001. He led the team to four NCAA Tournament appearances and was named Pac-10 co-Coach of the Year, District Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year in 1999 after the team finished fourth at the NCAA Championships.

In addition to his coaching career, Vincent has worked for his father, Orrin's, golf course development company - O.B. Sports. Among the courses the company has developed and manages are Indian Wells (Calif.) Golf Resort, Langdon Farms Golf Club (Aurora, Ore.), Tetherow Golf Club (Bend, Ore.) and Gamble Golf Resort (currently under development in Brewster, Wash.). The company was the original developer of Washington National Golf Club, home of the UW's intercollegiate golf teams.

As a golfer at Washington, Vincent earned medalist honors and led the Huskies to the 1988 Pac-10 championship - the school's first title in 25 seasons. He was an all-conference and all-America selection and is the only golfer in Pac-10 history to earn medalist honors as later garner the league's coach of the year award.

Following his collegiate playing career, Vincent became the only American golfer to qualify for the PGA's European Tour in 1991. He earned a spot in the 1992 British Open at Muirfield and was among the leaders after shooting an opening round 67.

Vincent is married to the former Jana Ellis, a Burien, Wash. Native, former All-America swimmer at Washington and daughter of former UW swimming coach Earl Ellis. The couple has two children - daughter, Prada, and son, Phar.