Florida’s Handrigan Recipient of Jan Strickland Award presented by TaylorMade-adidas Golf

NORMAN, Okla. – John Handrigan of Florida has been named recipient of the 2015 Jan Strickland Award presented by TaylorMade-adidas Golf as selected by the GCAA. The Strickland Award is presented to the NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA or NJCAA assistant coach that, among other things, has excelled in working with their student-athletes both on the course and in the classroom.

Handrigan is in his fourth season as the assistant men’s golf coach at the University of Florida. The 2014-15 school year marked his first working alongside head coach JC Deacon after three campaigns assisting GCAA Hall of Fame coach Buddy Alexander. Handrigan, who came to the Gators with 10 years of coaching experience at the Division I and II levels, has helped lead the Orange and Blue to four tournament victories during his tenure.

So far this year, Handrigan aided the Florida squad to earn runner-up honors four times and finish in the top-five six times. He coached A.J. Crouch to capture an individual title at the FGCU Classic in October, UF’s first victory in an individual contest since 2012. The Gators also improved five places at the SEC Championships.

Prior to arriving in Gainesville, Handrigan served as the assistant men’s golf coach at Kansas for two seasons. He has also served as the head men’s and women’s golf coach at Queens University of Charlotte and the head men’s golf coach at Coker College. Handrigan began his coaching career as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pa.

“First, it’s an honor to be selected and recognized with the other impressive nominees for the 2015 Jan Strickland Award as there are a lot of great coaches across the country,” said Handrigan. “To become a finalist, and then win this award after several interviews is truly special. Thank you to the GCAA, Jan Strickland Committee and TaylorMade-adidas Golf for their sponsorship and hard work during the selection process. Winning this award wouldn’t be possible without the support from The University of Florida, former Head Coach Buddy Alexander and our new Head Coach JC Deacon. I want to thank each of our players for their commitment and dedication to Florida Golf as we all achieved this prestigious award as a team. Most importantly I would like to thank my wife Leigh, who has been my biggest supporter throughout my coaching career and I would not have reached this level without her.”

The Strickland Award recipient will have the opportunity to further his professional development by receiving an invitation to the TaylorMade-adidas Golf Kingdom in Carlsbad, Calif.

TaylorMade-adidas Golf has sponsored the Strickland Award since its inception in 2003.