University of Georgia Athletics
Hybl Named Okla. Head Coach
June 23, 2009 | Men's Golf
NORMAN, Okla. - Ryan Hybl, one of the most decorated golfers in University of Georgia history, and most recently an assistant coach for the Bulldogs, has been named the head men's golf coach at Oklahoma.
Joe Castiglione, Vice President for Athletics Programs and Director of Athletics, made the announcement Monday.
"Ryan Hybl's passion for college golf and his experience at its highest level as both a player and coach make this an exciting time for our men's golf program. We have matched unbridled enthusiasm with an impressive knowledge of the game, and we're very encouraged about our future. Ryan understands that having a great program means developing student-athletes on every level. He took that approach himself as a player and he has done so in his coaching assignments. That's the reason he enjoys such tremendous respect nationally."
Hybl, the brother of former Oklahoma quarterback Nate Hybl, has been on the staff at Georgia since 2005. He also played professionally during that time, competing in events on the Nationwide, Hooters and Tar Heel Tours, logging several top ten finishes before retiring in April of 2009 due to a career-ending elbow injury.
The new coach believes the injury has led to a great opportunity.
"I'm completely focused on coaching," he said, "and the potential of this Oklahoma program is so exciting. I could not be more thrilled for this opportunity and enthusiastic about our ability to play for championships."
Hybl said the leadership in the department and the Oklahoma name were very attractive.
"The leadership from Joe Castiglione is evident in the overall strength of the program," he said. "There is so much support and history here. The facilities are great; you have what you need to be successful. I am coming from a program that has won national and conference championships and the vision here can be the same.
"The Oklahoma brand is huge. We will be very interested in recruiting Oklahoma, but we also have a brand that appeals nationwide. That will help us be competitive across the board."
From a program perspective, Hybl said the approach will be broad-based.
"It's my job to get them prepared mentally and physically, and to help them manage the golf course," he explained. "We want them to become better golfers and better men. Academics will be a big part of that; it has always been a big part of my life. It's all about expectations and mine are very high that we will excel in the classroom."
While on the Georgia staff, Hybl helped guide a squad that racked up five straight top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championship. The team won SEC crowns in 2006 and 2009 along with an NCAA East Regional Championship in 2008.
Along the way, Georgia produced 14 All-Americans, 14 first-team All-SEC players, the 2006 SEC Player of the Year and the 2006 and 2008 SEC Freshman of the Year.
Hybl lettered from 2001-04, twice garnering All-America and All-SEC honors. He concluded his career with a scoring average of 72.7 and 13 top-10 finishes. He served as the team captain during his junior and senior seasons.
Hybl also excelled academically, earning a prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. He earned the Joel Eaves Award as the male senior student-athlete with the highest grade point average and the Dick Bestwick Award for the top GPA among graduating male seniors. Hybl was named to the Dean's List, the President's List and the SEC Academic Honor Roll, and he was chosen as a Cleveland Golf Scholar All-American. He won the team's Howell Hollis Award three times for boasting the top GPA.
The Colbert, Ga., native graduated in 2004 with a degree in sports science.
As a sophomore in 2002, Hybl was named First-Team All-America and First-Team All-SEC. He was Georgia's leader in all of the statistical categories and ended the year rated No. 7 by Golfweek/Sagarin in the final individual rankings. Hybl was chosen as one of the national semifinalists for the Ben Hogan Award and he helped the 2002 United States Palmer Cup Team defeat Europe.
Hybl debuted as a Bulldog in 2001 by garnering Third-Team All-America and Second-Team All-SEC honors. At the Golf World Invitational, he led the victorious Bulldogs to team and event records for the lowest round and the lowest tournament total.
Hybl arrived at Georgia as the No. 1-ranked junior golfer in the nation as determined by Golfweek. He was named the AJGA's 1998 Player of the Year, and he was a three-time AJGA All-American and a three-time member of the Canon Cup Team.
Following his college career, Hybl was a tournament director for the AJGA.
He is married to the former Rebecca Booker. They have one daughter, Adyline, born in September, 2007.
What They're Saying About Ryan Hybl...
Chris Haack, Georgia Head Coach ... "I think Ryan's going to do a terrific job for Oklahoma. I know he's excited about being at Oklahoma, with his connections there. Even when he was in school here at Georgia he was always watching Sooner football and keeping up with those guys, so he's got some deep roots for the OU family as well. Ryan was a terrific recruiter with me. He relates very well. He's a great player and was able to get out with those guys and play and really help them with their golf games and the mental aspect of their games. He was a wonderful student so he understands the importance of academics and how that blends in with college life. He's just one of those all-encompassing guys who gets what college athletics is all about and he knows from having been in our program what it takes to be on top, winning conference championships and national championships."
Chance Cozby, former OU Golfer ... "As a former player for OU, I am excited about the hiring of Ryan Hybl. He has a proven track record at the University of Georgia, one of the best programs in the country. As a person who cares deeply about the OU golf program, I am excited to see Ryan take the reins and move the program in a positive direction."
Rick Bell, former OU Golfer ... "Ryan is energetic from what I've seen, and he has good ties through his work in junior golf. That's very important in recruiting. He's young and hungry and wants to see how successful he can be in coaching. You see a lot of these young guys who jump right in and establish themselves right away."
Nate Hybl, former OU Quarterback and Ryan's brother ... "He's a wonderful person, first and foremost. Everyone who meets and works with him falls in love with his passion, work ethic and love for the game. He brings a unique perspective as an All-American, a professional and as a coach. I think he was destined to be a coach and we're all excited that he gets an opportunity to fulfill that destiny."
Cricket Musch, Nike, Head of Player Development ... "I am tickled to death for him. I think he is one of those guys that was meant to be a coach. He definitely is a players' coach. He really knows the game and he is also an incredibly competitive guy. Those factors will make him a tremendous asset to the University of Oklahoma."
Stephen Hamplin, Executive Director American Junior Golf Association ... "Ryan was one of the hardest workers we have ever had. His skill and knowledge of golf, coupled with an extremely diligent work ethic, created a tremendous asset for the AJGA."
Rodney Young, Director of Golf, Jimmie Austin Golf Club ... "I'm really looking forward to working with Ryan and helping him any way we can with the golf course. I know he has a great reputation with the junior players and that will benefit him greatly with recruiting. Anything we can do from a golf course perspective, we're really anxious to assist."
