Saint Joseph's University Vice President and Director of Athletics Jill Bodensteiner has announced that long-time head men's golf coach Bob Lynch will retire at the completion of the 2023-24 season, and current assistant coach Terry Scollin '97 will succeed Lynch as head coach starting in 2024-25.

"Bob has been an integral member of the Saint Joseph's family for so many years, and has made a true difference on Hawk Hill," said Bodensteiner. "I am delighted that Terry, one of Bob's former golfers, will be our new leader, and will carry on the legacy of what it means to be a Hawk." 

"I cannot believe it's been 35 years! It seems like yesterday that Don DiJulia and Ellen Ryan gave a 32-year-old kid the opportunity of a lifetime. The fact that Jill stuck with 'old guy', I couldn't be more thankful. Jill and Ken Krimmel have given me the resources I needed to run a competitive Division I program in a very challenging golf landscape," said Lynch. "I'm thrilled that the program will continue to forge ahead under Terry's guidance. Over the last two years, he has shown that he is 'all in' and excited to work with the guys to get them to the next level."

"It's an honor to accept this role and take over a program that Bob has built over the past 35 years. I'm coming full circle after playing for coach Lynch from 1993-1997, and now leading the team in our latest chapter," said Scollin. "I want to thank Vice President and Director of Athletics Jill Bodensteiner, Associate Athletics Director Ken Krimmel and especially Bob for believing in me and providing me with this incredible opportunity."

Spanning four decades as head coach of the Hawks, Lynch established Saint Joseph's as one of the most competitive teams in the Northeast on a yearly basis. Under his leadership, Saint Joseph's has transitioned from dual competitions at the beginning of his career, to annual schedules that feature some of the top teams and invitational events nationally.

During Lynch's tenure, Saint Joseph's has posted four top-three finishes at the Atlantic 10 Championship, highlighted by a second-place finish in 2003 that included A-10 Coach of the Year honors. Along with success in the A-10, Lynch also guided the Hawks to multiple Eastern Intercollegiate Golf Association Championship berths.

Among individual accolades, Lynch coached Saint Joseph's Hall of Famer Michael McDermott '97 to three consecutive A-10 All-Conference honors, with McDermott capping his senior year as the national leader in top-five finishes with nine. Additionally, Hall of Famer Billy Stewart '06 became the first freshman in A-10 history to capture medalist honors, earning both the Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Rookie at the 2003 conference tournament. Recently, Michael O'Brien became the first Hawk to earn multiple All-Region accolades, earning the honors in 2018-19 and 2019-20. In total, 19 Hawks earned A-10 All-Conference honors, and four were named All-Region selections under Lynch's tutelage.

"Bob's steady leadership, passion for the game, and great relationships with our former and current student-athletes were among many of the attributes he brought to our men's golf program over the years," said Bodensteiner.

"It has been a joy to coach so many great student-athletes over the years that have also become some of my best friends. My wife, Monica, and I have gone to numerous weddings and have watched their kids grow up, and I continue to see many of them on a regular basis," said Lynch. "I will miss working with the players on a daily basis and listening to their funny stories. I will miss seeing my fellow coaches, many of whom have also been around many years. It has been quite a (van) ride!"

A member of the Hawks' golf team from 1993-97, Scollin has brought four decades of experience back to Hawk Hill as an assistant coach the past two years. A talented junior golfer who competed alongside Tiger Woods at the Insurance Youth Golf Classic at Pinehurst #7, the four-year letterwinner served as team captain as a senior, and earned a bachelor's degree in English from Saint Joseph's in 1997.

"Serving the past two seasons as assistant coach, I've seen firsthand the talent of our guys. I couldn't be more excited to continue working with them, watching them excel, and employing the Magis principles of this fine institution," Scollin said. "Behind the scenes, I've witnessed the tremendous level of support from our golf alumni network. I want to personally thank many of them who have been supportive in my journey; I am excited about the opportunity ahead, and I am confident that together we will accomplish great things."

"At Saint Joseph's, we help our student-athletes reach their full potential as people, as students, and as athletes. After getting to know Terry these past few years, I am extremely confident that he will be a tremendous leader of our golfers – on and off the course," said Bodensteiner.

Saint Joseph's opens the spring portion of its schedule on March 11 at the Donald Ross Collegiate.