Virginia names Ria Scott the new Women’s Golf head coach

The University of Virginia and Athletic Director Carla Williams announced Thursday (July 3) evening that Ria Scott would be taking over as the new head coach of the Women’s Golf program.

Scott comes to Charlottesville from the University of Oregon, where she has served as the head coach since 2009. During her tenure with the Ducks, Scott’s teams made the NCAA postseason all nine years and back-to-back NCAA Championship appearances in 2016 and 2017.

As a player at California, Scott helped the Bears reach the NCAA Championship in 2003 while also being to the All-Pac-10 team. Following graduation, she played professionally before taking over as the head coach at San Francisco in 2007.

Scott is excited to become a Cavalier, telling VirginiaSports.com:

“I believe in the academic mission of the University of Virginia and the trajectory in which this athletic department is headed. I was incredibly impressed by Virginia’s commitment to its golf programs, shown by the investment in its new golf facility and the renovation scheduled for Birdwood Golf Course. I am excited to build on the strong foundation that Jan Mann, Kim Lewellen and our alumnae have set for our program. I am looking forward to working with our current and next generation of Hoos and am excited that current assistant coach Calle Nielson will remain a part of the program. I am committed to working tirelessly to make the University of Virginia proud.”

Virginia Athletics is currently building a brand new indoor golf facility for the men’s and women’s programs, and Birdwood is undergoing a course redesign. Both will bolster the training and prestige for the Hoos and are expected to be completed in the fall of 2019.

This is Williams’ second hire as the Virginia Athletic Director, and it appears she followed up the strong selection of Women’s Basketball’s Tina Thompson with another solid pick. Scott has an impressive resume and has shown through nine years with Oregon that she is able to maintain a level of success that would be welcome in Charlottesville. Before Scott’s arrival in Eugene, the Oregon women’s team hadn’t made the NCAA postseason for 10 straight years.

Said Williams:

“Ria brings with her an excellent coaching resume, playing background and appreciation for academic excellence that makes her a great fit for our program. She has demonstrated the ability to develop both individual players and an entire program on a consistent basis. She has achieved that by being an outstanding teacher, program manager and strong recruiter.”

The Women’s Golf team made the NCAA Championships last season, finishing 22nd overall. The Ducks fell in the San Francisco Regionals. Virginia returns third years Anna Redding and Katharine Patrick and first year Beth Lillie, all of whom had three top-ten finishes last season. Scott is taking over for Kim Lewellen, who is heading to Wake Forest to fill the same role in her home state.

Welcome, Coach Scott!