University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Lucy Nunn Burke Steps Down as Head Coach of Women's Golf Program
4/25/2024 11:00:00 AM | General, Women's Golf
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss head women's golf coach Lucy Nunn Burke has announced her intentions to step down from the program after six seasons leading the Golden Eagles.
"Since starting my coaching career 13 years ago, I quickly realized that this job is about the people," Nunn Burke said. "I have been fortunate to have been surrounded and guided by some great ones. To my college coaches for leading by example, to Gerrod Chadwell for picking me up and preparing me beyond measure to be a head coach, to Jon Gilbert for giving a first time head coach a shot, to Jeremy McClain for his continuous support of me and this program, and to the players of past, present, and future, you are what make this a special place to be.
"And to my family, thank you. It's now time for me to take care of my people, but I will forever be grateful to Southern Miss for the opportunity to have had a hand in helping a program truly on the rise."
Nunn Burke took over the program on May 10, 2018, and immediately made a splash in the collegiate golf world. In her first tournament guiding Southern Miss, Nunn Burke's squad placed fifth at the USA Collegiate to open the 2018-19 season. Nunn Burke has since guided Southern Miss to 18 top-five finishes and took home an elusive team championship at the Hoover Invitational last season.
"Lucy has been a very special leader and ambassador for Southern Miss for the past six years," said Southern Miss Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain. "We are thankful for everything she has done for our golf program, and she will be missed by many. However, we are also excited for her and her family as they begin this next journey."
The Golden Eagles enjoyed a breakout year during the 2021-22 season after placing top-five in five tournaments, including four in a stretch of five tournaments. In 2022, Nunn Burke helped bring a tournament back to Hattiesburg Country Club for the first time since the 2016-17 season and guided the Golden Eagles to a third-place finish at The 2022 Judson – they finished second this season.
Of the top-20 low individual season stroke averages in program history, 12 were under Nunn Burke's guidance. Momoka Ando set the program record this season after averaging 72.9 strokes per round. She also helped guide a pair of golfers to Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors as Merche Corbacho (2021) and Elena Melich (2022) have both taken home the award.
Southern Miss will now begin a national search to replace Nunn Burke.
"Since starting my coaching career 13 years ago, I quickly realized that this job is about the people," Nunn Burke said. "I have been fortunate to have been surrounded and guided by some great ones. To my college coaches for leading by example, to Gerrod Chadwell for picking me up and preparing me beyond measure to be a head coach, to Jon Gilbert for giving a first time head coach a shot, to Jeremy McClain for his continuous support of me and this program, and to the players of past, present, and future, you are what make this a special place to be.
"And to my family, thank you. It's now time for me to take care of my people, but I will forever be grateful to Southern Miss for the opportunity to have had a hand in helping a program truly on the rise."
Nunn Burke took over the program on May 10, 2018, and immediately made a splash in the collegiate golf world. In her first tournament guiding Southern Miss, Nunn Burke's squad placed fifth at the USA Collegiate to open the 2018-19 season. Nunn Burke has since guided Southern Miss to 18 top-five finishes and took home an elusive team championship at the Hoover Invitational last season.
"Lucy has been a very special leader and ambassador for Southern Miss for the past six years," said Southern Miss Director of Athletics Jeremy McClain. "We are thankful for everything she has done for our golf program, and she will be missed by many. However, we are also excited for her and her family as they begin this next journey."
The Golden Eagles enjoyed a breakout year during the 2021-22 season after placing top-five in five tournaments, including four in a stretch of five tournaments. In 2022, Nunn Burke helped bring a tournament back to Hattiesburg Country Club for the first time since the 2016-17 season and guided the Golden Eagles to a third-place finish at The 2022 Judson – they finished second this season.
Of the top-20 low individual season stroke averages in program history, 12 were under Nunn Burke's guidance. Momoka Ando set the program record this season after averaging 72.9 strokes per round. She also helped guide a pair of golfers to Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors as Merche Corbacho (2021) and Elena Melich (2022) have both taken home the award.
Southern Miss will now begin a national search to replace Nunn Burke.
Players Mentioned
Karaoke With The Coaches- Erika Brennan- Women's Golf
Sunday, July 14
Karaoke with the Southern Miss coaches: Julie Gallup
Sunday, July 14
Karaoke with the Coaches- Women's golf head coach Julie Gallup
Sunday, July 14
Southern Miss 101 - Women's Golf
Sunday, July 14