Seton Hall Director of Athletics Bryan Felt announced on Friday the hiring of University alumnus J.T. Harper '15 as the new head coach of the men's golf prog...
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Pirates Name J.T. Harper New Men's Golf Head Coach
Harper has spent the last three years as an assistant for the Pirates.
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - Seton Hall Director of Athletics
Bryan Felt announced on Friday the hiring of University alumnus
J.T. Harper '15 as the new head coach of the men's golf program. Harper gets the promotion after serving as an assistant coach for the program for the last three years.
In addition to serving as an assistant coach at Seton Hall, Harper has been a teaching instructor at Canoe Brook Country Club since 2017, providing golf instruction and coaching to clients of all ages and abilities. He has also served as the Director of Junior Golf Operations at Canoe Brook for the last two years.
"J.T. has earned this opportunity through his hard work and dedication to the Seton Hall men's golf program as a coach, teacher and student-athlete," Felt said. "Coach Harper has a tremendous passion for the game and is someone who exemplifies high character and integrity. We are thrilled to have him lead our program moving forward."
Harper's coaching prowess was on full display this spring when Seton Hall won its first BIG EAST Championship in 22 years. The Hall won four tournaments in all during the 2021-22 academic year and culminated with a trip to the NCAA Tournament. At the marquee event, the Pirates out-played their seed, defeating several nationally-ranked opponents. For their efforts, Harper and the rest of the staff were named BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year.
"I could not be more excited to continue building this program as the new men's head golf coach," Harper said. "As a former player and assistant coach for Seton Hall, I have been passionate about this team's success for years. The opportunity to lead these young men fresh off a BIG EAST Championship is incredible, and I look forward to the challenge of continuing to grow after such a successful season. The talent on this team is outrageous, and I know these guys are going to work hard to let it show on the course. I'd like to thank
Bryan Felt and the entire athletic department for this opportunity. My family and I are so grateful to be part of the Seton Hall community, and I can't wait to get started."
Harper played golf at Seton Hall from 2013-15 and was one of the top performers on the squad, sporting a 75.20 career scoring average. A two-time Cleveland Golf All-American scholar, he recorded a career-best 74.52 stroke average as a senior and collected two top-10 finishes. An Academic Merit Award recipient, Harper shot four sub-par rounds in 2014-15 and helped lead the Pirates to their first tournament victory since 2012, shooting a 3-over-par, 71-74-145 at the Navy Fall Classic.
Harper and his wife Denny currently reside in Morristown, N.J. with their three boys, Cade, Hudson and Barrett.
What people are saying about J.T. Harper…
"I recruited J.T., he played for me, and I've had the privilege to watch him grow and mature as a young man and future coach. Knowing that J.T. is taking over the program, and that it'll continue the upward momentum under his leadership, certainly makes me feel better about my decision to leave. I'm incredibly proud of him, and couldn't be happier for the entire Harper family. They are Pirate blue through and through."
- Clay White, former Seton Hall Head Coach
"When J.T. joined the program as an assistant coach a couple of years back his impact was instantly felt. Not only did he bring professional golf experience to practice and tournaments, but he also proved himself to be a true player development coach on and off the course. He was a major part in the championship run we had last year and I think everyone in and around the team are excited for the trajectory of the program with him as the new head coach."
"First and foremost, JT is a close friend and neighbor. He is a fantastic father and husband. He is a mentor to so many of our junior golfers at Canoe Brook, but every demographic of member has benefited from JT's presence at Canoe Brook over the last five years. His pedigree and upbringing in the shadow of Pebble Beach has groomed J.T. for a long career in golf. His relations with the golfing community in New jersey and the golf world at large will undoubtedly help Seton Hall compete at a high level moving forward and allow the Pirates to build on their 2022 BIG EAST Championship."
- Reed Lansinger, Canoe Brook Country Club Director of Golf
