MANKATO, Minn. – Josh Pederson has announced that he is stepping away from the head men's and women's golf positions at Bethany Lutheran College as the school begins its search for a full-time golf coach. Pederson will retain his role at Bethany as the Director of Human Resources.

"It has been an honor and a privilege to be able to coach the men for the past five years and the women for the past four years. I was very fortunate to be a part of some successful teams here as both a player and a coach and am very grateful for what this program has given me. I look forward to spending more time with my growing family and still hope to follow and support both programs." 

Pederson was a player on the 2013 Bethany men's team that claimed a UMAC Championship and made their way onto the NCAA Tournament, before coaching the Vikings men's squad to an NCAA Tournament in 2021.

During his tenure as coach, he had 10 UMAC All-Conference golfers on the men's side and three All-Conference performers on the women's side. Pederson also coached Hayley Thompson when she won medalist at the 2021 UMAC Championships and earned Player of the Year honors in the UMAC after setting new UMAC Championship records for 18, 36, and 54-hole scores.  

"We can't thank Josh enough for what he has done with the men's and women's golf programs here during his tenure," said Co-Athletic Director Pat Garvin. "His ability to not only help his student-athletes grow as players but also as people is something that speaks volumes to his commitment to Bethany's mission. We are proud of his accomplishments and the way he represented Bethany and look forward to where our golf programs are headed in the future."

A national search for a full-time men's and women's golf coach will begin immediately.