CLAREMORE, Okla. - Former Southeastern Conference and Big 10 Conference Coach of the Year Lynn Blevins has been named the first men's and women's golf coach at Rogers State University.
 

Blevins brings 15 years of head coaching experience at the NCAA Division I level to the Hillcats. He guided the men's golf programs at the University of Oklahoma, the University of Florida and the University of Iowa over a 15-year period before transitioning to the private golf business sector in 1994. He led the Gators to an SEC Championship in 1985 and spurred the Hawkeyes to a Big 10 crown in 1992. Now, after a 15-year hiatus, Blevins returns to his coaching roots to develop a brand new program.
 

"I'm really excited to get back into coaching," Blevins said. "It's a rare opportunity to start a new program and put a footprint or a signature on that program. I'm really looking forward to the challenge."
 

Blevins currently serves as the Director of Golf Operations at Scissortail Golf Club in Verdigris, Okla. He heads the Buffalo Golf Group, Inc., which took over management of the course in May 2008. As President and CEO of the BGG, Blevins has overseen the construction, start up and management operation of five golf courses over the past 15 years.
 

"We were very pleased with the interest and number of quality applicants for our golf position," said Wren Baker, RSU athletic director. "Coach Blevins' resume and experience speaks for itself and we're very excited that he will be leading our new golf programs."
 

Blevins began his coaching career at his alma mater where he led the University of Oklahoma men's golf program from 1979-81. He spent the next seven years at the University of Florida, directing the Gators to a third place finish at the 1985 NCAA Championship after claiming the SEC title earlier that season. Blevins moved to the University of Iowa in 1990 and won a Big 10 Championship in 1992.
 

"I'm taking this job to win championships," Blevins said. "I'm looking for players that are good students, who want to be here and who are committed to getting better because the expectations are going to be really high."
 

RSU announced its plans to add men's and men's golf programs for the 2009-2010 academic year in January. The Hillcats will compete as a member of both Sooner Athletic Conference and the NAIA and will be immediately eligible for both conference and national championship events. Ten SAC schools currently field a men's golf team while eight compete in women's golf.