Salem State Promotes Kevin Daly to Head Golf Coach
SALEM, MASS. -- Salem State Athletics is pleased to announce that assistant men's golf coach Kevin Daly '91 has been promoted to the position of head coach. Daly is replacing veteran head coach Steve Campbell '72, who has led the team since 2002. Campbell will remain with the golf program as an assistant coach.
"We are elated that Kevin has decided to take over the reins of our men's golf program," stated Director of Athletics Tracey Hathaway. "He is a former All-American who is well known in the golf community on the North Shore. He will continue to mentor our student athletes to be successful on the course and in the classroom."
Daly, who returned as an assistant coach to the team in 2015, was a two-time All-American golfer at Salem State. The two-time captain claimed the New England Intercollegiate Golf Association (NEIGA) championship in 1990 and earned the Guy Tedesco Award, which is presented to New England's top collegiate golfer in 1991.
Daly led the Vikings, who were ranked in the top-10 each year, to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, earning First-Team All-American honors with a fourth place finish, just three strokes behind the champion in 1990. He followed up with a 14th place finish in 1991 to earn Third Team All-American status. Daly was chosen team MVP and Salem State's top male athlete for the 1990-1991 academic year.
"I'm excited to lead a program that has such an admired tradition. Those of us who have played and coached for Salem State golf know it's more than a college sports program; it's a family. I feel fortunate to have played for two greats in George Jacobson and Jerry Driscoll – and to later coach alongside Steve Campbell. I'm honored to follow them and will do all I can to ensure each of our student athletes has a tremendous experience playing golf, and representing Salem State."
"We're so fortunate to have extraordinary support from our local golf community. I'd challenge any college program to equal the exceptional courses our young men get to play on a regular basis. Our home course, Kernwood CC, has a generous membership that has welcomed us for over 40 years. With continued backing from local clubs, the talented players that emerge from Massachusetts's junior programs, and a top-notch, competitive schedule – we have teams that are motivated and primed for success. I can't wait for the season to start."
Daly replaces longtime head coach Campbell, who had a successful tenure guiding the Vikings. The former Gordon McCullough Award winner has led the golf program to 34 team tournament titles, and has produced 35 individual champions. Campbell was also named the NCAA Northeast District 1 Coach of the Year in 2007.
Campbell directed Salem State to two NCAA Tournament appearances and seven Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference championships, including
six individual titles and one North Atlantic Conference Championship with one individual champion. He has also coached seven All-Americans and five All-Region golfers during his tenure.
As a player at Salem State, Campbell was a two-time captain, who competed in three NCAA Championships and won the ECAC Regional Tournament in 1972.
Coach Campbell on Kevin's ascension to head coach: "Kevin will be a great head golf coach at Salem State. He was an All-American golfer for George Jacobson and a winner of the President's Cup. He has been great with the players over the last couple of years as an assistant. He is a believer in the concept of student-athlete and will continue our great team GPA and 99% graduation rate."
"He also is a great player, qualifying for the Mass Amateur and recently defended his status as Club Champion at Salem Country Club. I look forward to working with him as his assistant. "
Kevin lives in Beverly with his wife, Kelly ('91), and their children, Meghan, a senior at Gordon College, and Ryan, a freshman at Bentley College.