Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
After nine seasons as the head men’s golf coach at Louisiana Tech University, head coach Matt Terry has resigned from his position to accept the head coaching job at University of North Alabama.
“On behalf of Louisiana Tech Athletics, I want to thank Matt Terry for his outstanding leadership, commitment, and service to our men’s golf program,” stated Vice President & Director of Athletics Ryan Ivey. “Matt has been instrumental in elevating our program, developing our student-athletes, and representing Louisiana Tech with integrity and professionalism.
“While we are certainly disappointed to see him leave, we are excited for Matt, Dixie, and their family as they return home to North Alabama and begin this next chapter. Family is at the heart of college athletics, and this opportunity allows them to be closer to their roots and loved ones. We are grateful for everything Matt has done for Louisiana Tech and will be cheering for his continued success. He will always be a valued member of the Bulldog family.”
The new opportunity gives the Moulton, Alabama, native a chance to return closer to home, as North Alabama is located roughly 45 minutes from where he grew up. The move also carries personal significance, as his wife, Dixie McCreless, was a former two-sport athlete at UNA.
“I’m extremely excited to join the North Alabama family and come home,” said Terry. “I appreciate the faith that Dr. Looney and Dr. (Janae) Walker have in me with bringing me to Florence. I’m excited to get started on the journey with the Lions. I want to thank Ryan Ivey, Mary Kay Hungate, President (Jim) Henderson and everyone that touched my family’s lives at Louisiana Tech. You guys truly made it feel like home every day. I will always cherish our time in Ruston.”
Terry, the 2023 Conference USA Coach of the Year, took over the LA Tech program prior to the 2017-18 season. Under his leadership, the Bulldogs most recently shot a 280 (-8) at the CUSA Championships this past spring, marking a tie for the program’s lowest single-round score at the event.
LA Tech also made program history during the 2023-24 season as the Bulldogs finished first in stroke play at the CUSA Championship. The Bulldogs’ 860 was its lowest 54-hole total in a league championship in school history, earning them the No. 1 seed for match play.
Prior to arriving in Ruston, Terry spent 15 years building highly successful men’s and women’s golf programs at Troy University. He served as head coach of the Troy men’s program for 15 seasons and also guided the women’s program for 11 seasons, the final four as Director of Golf. Under his leadership, Troy reached its pinnacle in 2015 when both programs competed in NCAA Regionals.
Ivey said the search for the next Bulldog head coach would begin immediately.
“As we turn the page to our next head coach, we are confident in our ability to attract a great fit to Louisiana Tech and the Ruston community,” said Ivey. “Our partnership with Squire Creek provides a tremendous asset for our program to compete at a high level. We look forward to great things ahead.”
