Chris Riley, the West Coast Conference’s men’s golf coach of the year, is leaving the University of San Diego after seven seasons. USD’s athletic department announced the change on Tuesday, saying Riley will “pursue other professional endeavors.”
Riley, who turned 50 in December, is expected to compete on the senior tour. He participated in the PGA Tour Champions Q School in December.
Riley’s final Toreros team won its first conference title since 2008 and hosted an NCAA Regional in Rancho Santa Fe. Riley was named the league’s coach of the year; Craig Ronne and Andi Xu were named first-team All-WCC selections.
First-year athletic director Kimya Massey said he was “extremely grateful for the program Chris has built in his hometown.” A Madison High School graduate, Riley came to USD from UNLV, where he spent two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach. A member of the UNLV and Southern Nevada sports halls of fame, Riley is perhaps the most accomplished golfer in Rebels history.
“Under Chris, our team has reached a standard of being a regular NCAA Regional participant under his leadership and we can’t thank him enough for his time, dedication, and pursuit of excellence in all aspects for our young men who have been a part of this program,” Massey said.
“San Diego is a mecca of golf in this country, and Chris has won championships while keeping some of the area’s finest talent at home. We will miss his presence, energy, and spirit, as he has made this program a perennial competitor. We wish him well in his future endeavors and in spending more time with his family, and we will move efficiently but with diligence to find the new leader for our program.”
Riley was an acocmplished professional player, appearing in more than 330 PGA Tour events and competing for Team USA in the 2004 Ryder Cup. Riley was named USD’s coach in June 2017.
“I want to thank the University of San Diego and the wonderful people I have met working here,” Riley said. “After seven years, now is my time to go, and focus on some family matters. I appreciate everyone’s , from President (James T.) Harris, to Athletic Director Kimya Massey, who I respect tremendously.
“The relationships I have made at USD will last a lifetime,” Riley added. “And I will always be a Torero.”
