GORHAM, Maine – The University of Southern Maine Director of Athletics Al Bean recently announced the hiring of Brian Bickford as the new head coach of the Huskies' golf team. Bickford replaces Reggie Grant who retired after leading the program for 22 seasons. Bickford is an alumnus of the Southern Maine golf program and played under legendary head coach Richard A. "Doc" Costello.
 
Bickford brings a wealth of coaching experience having coached golf at Greely High School since 2009 along with previous stops at Yarmouth High School and Cape Elizabeth High School. In 2020 Bickford helped lead the Greely golf team to a Class A State Championship. Bickford also coached five individual state champions in girl's golf. Bickford has received numerous accolades for his work, including six Player Development Awards from the Maine Chapter of the New England Professional Golfers' Association of America. In 2016 he earned the prestigious honor of being inducted into the Maine Golf Hall of Fame.
 
"We're very excited to have Brian join our staff and lead our golf program moving forward. Brian has a rich history with USM as a former student-athlete and key contributor as a member of the Huskies' golf team," said Bean. "He is one of the most recognized people in the sport of golf in Maine and has had success at all levels of the sport. I'm confident that he will build upon an already strong Husky golf team and bring it to the next level. I'm pleased to welcome him back to USM."
 
Bickford is the executive director of the Maine Golf association and serves as executive director of the Maine Golf Hall of Fame. Additionally, he spent many years as head golf professional at Val Halla Golf Club in Cumberland. During his time at Val Halla Bickford received the Golf Professional of the Year Award from the Maine Chapter of the NEPGA of America twice.
 
"I am honored to have the opportunity to coach the USM golf team and to give back to a program that has meant so much to me," said Bickford. "I have fond memories of playing under Doc Costello and look forward to growing the golf program."
 
A 1987 graduate of the University of Southern Maine with a degree in business administration, Bickford went on to earn his MBA from Southern New Hampshire University in 2000.
 
Bickford takes over a team that won four competitions last season and placed third at the 2022 Little East Conference Championship.