SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State men's golf head coach Ryan Donovan has signed a new five-year contract that runs through the 2027-28 season. The new pact comes after the Aztecs played in their 17th NCAA regional last spring out of 18 chances under Donovan.
Now in his 20th season leading SDSU, Donovan has coached the Aztecs to seven NCAA championship appearances, highlighted by a fifth-place tie at nationals in 2012. Additionally under Donovan, San Diego State has 17 NCAA regional bids, 36 team titles, 138 top-five performances and 205 top-10 overall tournament finishes. During his tenure, SDSU has advanced to the NCAA regionals in 17 of 18 campaigns (2020 NCAA championships were canceled) and have also finished no worse than second at the Mountain West championships in seven of the last 12 seasons SDSU competed (2020 MW championships were canceled), winning team titles in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2021.
"I look forward to continuing to lead the men's golf program here at San Diego State," Donovan said. "I am thankful that I have the complete support of John David Wicker and the administration, as well as the SDSU alumni and San Diego community. We're going to continue to compete at the highest level, fighting for league titles and excelling in the classroom. I am an "Aztec for Life" and there's no place I'd rather be than San Diego State."
Under Donovan's guidance, Aztec golfers have garnered 36 all-Mountain West accolades and 16 all-region honors, while seven of his pupils have been named to 14 All-America teams. In addition, Donovan has mentored four MW player of the year winners in Puwit Anupansuebsai (2020), Nahum Mendoza III (2016), J.J. Spaun (2012) and Aaron Goldberg (2008), as well as the trio of Ricky DeSantis (2014), Riccardo Michelini (2013) and Matt Hoffenberg (2008), who were each named conference freshman of the year in their respective rookie seasons.
"I'm excited that Ryan will continue to lead our men's golf team," SDSU director of athletics John David Wicker said. "Ryan has shown that San Diego State can compete with any program in the country and will challenge for Mountain West championships every year. He continues to develop student-athletes on and off the course, and I'm excited to watch this program continue to rise."
"(This contract extension) is a testament to Ryan's hard work in making San Diego State one of the premier golf programs in the country," SDSU executive associate athletic director for Mission Valley development and Aztec men's golf supervisor Derek Grice said. "Ryan's program lives by the mantras of "No excuses" and "Why not us?" because he believes that San Diego State has a chance to win every tournament. I look forward to the next five years and beyond of San Diego State men's golf."
Donovan received Mountain West Coach of the Year recognition on three occasions and was twice named a finalist for the Dave Williams Award, which is handed out annually to the national coach of the year in Division I men's golf. Donovan also was tabbed the Eaton Golf Pride West Region Division I Men's Coach of the Year by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) following the 2010-11 campaign.
Prior to his appointment, Donovan was a four-year member of the SDSU men's golf squad from 1997-2001 before joining the professional ranks on the Golden State Tour in 2001 and the Gateway Tour in 2002. His most successful season in a Scarlet and Black uniform came as a junior when he recorded five top-30 placements.
A native of Yorba Linda, California, Donovan also qualified for the U.S. Amateur in 1996 and 1999, and played in the British Amateur in 2001 before turning pro. He returned to The Mesa as an assistant coach under former head coach Dale Walker, but was later promoted to interim head coach after the conclusion of the 2003 fall season and piloted SDSU through the entire 2004 spring campaign.
Donovan and the Aztecs, who are ranked 21st in the latest Bushnell/Golfweek Coaches Poll, continue their spring play this week (Feb. 16-18) at the John A. Burns Intercollegiate in Lihue, Hawaii.