THE MATT THURMOND CHECKLIST
v 2009 Golfweek National Coach of the Year
v 2 Ben Hogan Award Winners (2010, 2013)
v 3 Pac-12 team titles (2005, 2009, 2010)
v 2 Pac-12 Players of the Year (2009, 2010)
v 2 Pac-12 Coach of the Year Awards (2005 and 2009)
New Sun Devils men's golf coach Matt Thurmond is no stranger to success.
In 15 seasons at Washington, Thurmond's Huskies made 12 NCAA Tournament appearances and posted seven top-10 finishes.
The Huskies were third at the national tournament in 2005 and 2009 and fourth in 2010, and Thurmond was named Golfweek national Coach of the Year in 2009 and Pac-10/12 Coach of the Year twice.
What convinced you to leave Washington for another Pac-12 school?
"ASU isn't just another Pac-12 school! I love Washington. It's where I grew up and has always been my home. My entire family and much of my wife's family are there so it was hard to make this kind of decision. But ASU is a very special opportunity for me. I never imagined leaving Washington, but when this came up it seemed to me like the opportunities and needs at ASU matched up perfectly with my passion and skill. Aristotle said: 'Where your talents and the needs of the world cross; there lies your vocation.' I think this is a perfect fit and timing for me and for ASU. That made the decision quick and easy. We can really do some special things here."
"I love energy. Specifically, I love energy and passion and hope for what is ahead. I'm one who believes that the world continues to get better every day and that opportunity for growth of individuals and communities is unlimited. I quickly felt that at ASU. The way the University Charter aligns with the direction of the athletic department and how that fits in the community creates a powerful feeling and belief that the best days are ahead. I want to be a part of that environment and culture where there are no limits and the future is even better than the past. I think we are just scratching the surface here and I want to bring my energy, passion, and skills to help make this awesome future a reality."
How would you characterize your coaching philosophy, and who or what shaped that philosophy?
"When we look at our lives it's always humbling to see the countless people who have shaped who we are. My parents and family, coaches, friends, mentors, student-athletes, etc. have all had a profound impact on me. I believe in the unlimited potential of people and teams of people. If I'm coaching fully within my philosophy I will deeply connect with the goals and dreams of our students, help them believe more deeply that they can do it, and coach them individually so they can develop the skill and discipline to make potential and dreams a reality. Coaching is so individual, but we get to do it in a team environment. I love a culture with a group of people who are very clear who they are and what they hope to become all working together with great energy. So that's how I do it and that's the kind of culture I hope to have here. We'll have a lot of fun while we strive for greatness and impact together."
I know this is a broad question, but what experiences in your playing days have helped you as a coach??
"In college, I used to sit in class and look around and just think, 'I can't believe I get to do what I do. All these people are going to work or the library this afternoon and I'll be out golfing with my best friends.' My whole college experience was so special and transformative for my life and me. Ever since, I've had a deep desire to create a similar or better experience for the student-athletes I coach. A great experience includes relationships, being a part of something bigger that yourself, growth and achievement, challenge, and fun. I had all that in college and I've tried to provide all of that to the student-athletes I coach. I have always been on good teams with good coaches and so many of those people have shaped what ASU Golf will be by their influence on me."
What were some of the keys to building a strong program at Washington?
"We always put our players first and understood that players are the only reason we have coaches. We served and cared for them and coached them to greater skill and discipline in their lives. We were tough and competed with a lot of passion and belief. We always felt that we wanted it more than the next player and team. Another area that was crucial to our success was our connection to the community. We developed a true college golf community around our program and many people felt connected and involved. They brought their expertise and passion and resources to our program and it allowed us to do everything we needed to do so that it was the best experience possible for our student-athletes. We were able to build great new facilities and provide better coaching and experience because of all of the support and connection with the community. I learned how much joy a great golf program with exceptional young men can bring to others. I feel like we also got the right kind of guys that fit our culture."
Arizona State won national championships in 1990 and 1996 and four Sun Devils have won six national individual titles. Does that set your standard
"I understand that winning championships is an expectation here. I was a college golfer in the 1990s and I know what it looked like when ASU was winning everything. That's my expectation too. As we do things right, I believe that will happen."
How much more challenging is the collegiate landscape now than it was when you started coaching?
"It's unbelievable how much it has changed. There are probably 150 schools that are truly trying to be awesome. They have good budgets, facilities, coaches, community support, etc. It's harder than ever to differentiate. Everyone has good 'stuff.' So where you really win now, if you have the facilities and coaching and support you need, is with your culture and the velocity of improvement in your student-athletes. We can't build a facility and have good weather and expect that the best players in the world will just fall into our lap. There are many other places that have that stuff, too. We will have to work very hard for every recruit. Our competition is working hard. So we will have to work harder than ever and it will be our culture and quality of the overall experience that will make recruits want to be here and will make our players improve faster."
Given your experience directing capital projects and fundraising, what sort of efforts can we expect for Sun Devil men's golf?
"We can't be dominant or dynastic without elite facilities to train and compete on. We have good facilities and courses here that we use, but we need to always improve them. Everyone else is in the country is building (or has built) new facilities that make the facilities of the past look much different than they did a couple decades ago. We just can't rest and be content with what we have. We need to always grow. Exactly what and how that happens we will learn over time here. I will be a donor to the golf program, but I realize that most of the money to do these projects comes from generous people who care about our students and our program. My hope is that our fans and supporters will see the kind of program we have and the kind of young men we develop and want to be a part of it. Then they will gain a deeper understanding of our needs and vision for the future. Hopefully then they will want to help us make it happen. We intend to earn their support by who we are every day and by the compelling vision for the future we create."
Have you had a chance to meet with any of the players yet, and what was your message to them?
"I've talked with all of them. I just want them to know I'm here for them. They are the story and key to our success. We believe in them and expect a lot of them."
What are your expectations for your first year?
"The biggest key is to develop the foundation of our culture, see improvement in our players, and get a few great recruits. I have some on course goals, but I'm not ready to share those quite yet. Personally, I really want (seniors) Ki Taek (Lee), Nicolo (Galletti), and Jared (du Toit) to have great seasons on and off the course and to leave ASU very proud of the impact they've had on our program, and prepared for big success in the next stage of their lives."
v 2009 Golfweek National Coach of the Year
v 2 Ben Hogan Award Winners (2010, 2013)
v 3 Pac-12 team titles (2005, 2009, 2010)
v 2 Pac-12 Players of the Year (2009, 2010)
v 2 Pac-12 Coach of the Year Awards (2005 and 2009)
New Sun Devils men's golf coach Matt Thurmond is no stranger to success.
In 15 seasons at Washington, Thurmond's Huskies made 12 NCAA Tournament appearances and posted seven top-10 finishes.
The Huskies were third at the national tournament in 2005 and 2009 and fourth in 2010, and Thurmond was named Golfweek national Coach of the Year in 2009 and Pac-10/12 Coach of the Year twice.
We caught up with Thurmond this week for a quick Q&A on the lessons he's learned, his coaching philosophy and his plans for the storied program.Man, #UWHuskies sure going to miss Coach Thurmond. Matt is an absolute gem--as a coach and as a person. All the best https://t.co/TceSx5Ixfa
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) July 25, 2016
What convinced you to leave Washington for another Pac-12 school?
"ASU isn't just another Pac-12 school! I love Washington. It's where I grew up and has always been my home. My entire family and much of my wife's family are there so it was hard to make this kind of decision. But ASU is a very special opportunity for me. I never imagined leaving Washington, but when this came up it seemed to me like the opportunities and needs at ASU matched up perfectly with my passion and skill. Aristotle said: 'Where your talents and the needs of the world cross; there lies your vocation.' I think this is a perfect fit and timing for me and for ASU. That made the decision quick and easy. We can really do some special things here."
What impressed you about ASU's message and approach?Proud of our history of @pac12 Coach of Year -- an honor @MattThurmond has won twice (2005 and 2009) @ASUKarsten pic.twitter.com/upvqxZGvit
— ASUmensgolf (@asumensgolf) August 3, 2016
"I love energy. Specifically, I love energy and passion and hope for what is ahead. I'm one who believes that the world continues to get better every day and that opportunity for growth of individuals and communities is unlimited. I quickly felt that at ASU. The way the University Charter aligns with the direction of the athletic department and how that fits in the community creates a powerful feeling and belief that the best days are ahead. I want to be a part of that environment and culture where there are no limits and the future is even better than the past. I think we are just scratching the surface here and I want to bring my energy, passion, and skills to help make this awesome future a reality."
ASU Karsten and Derek Crawford have been so welcoming to me. Thanks!! @ASUKarsten pic.twitter.com/k6tpvKWR2B
— Matt Thurmond (@MattThurmond) August 2, 2016
How would you characterize your coaching philosophy, and who or what shaped that philosophy?
"When we look at our lives it's always humbling to see the countless people who have shaped who we are. My parents and family, coaches, friends, mentors, student-athletes, etc. have all had a profound impact on me. I believe in the unlimited potential of people and teams of people. If I'm coaching fully within my philosophy I will deeply connect with the goals and dreams of our students, help them believe more deeply that they can do it, and coach them individually so they can develop the skill and discipline to make potential and dreams a reality. Coaching is so individual, but we get to do it in a team environment. I love a culture with a group of people who are very clear who they are and what they hope to become all working together with great energy. So that's how I do it and that's the kind of culture I hope to have here. We'll have a lot of fun while we strive for greatness and impact together."
I know this is a broad question, but what experiences in your playing days have helped you as a coach??
"In college, I used to sit in class and look around and just think, 'I can't believe I get to do what I do. All these people are going to work or the library this afternoon and I'll be out golfing with my best friends.' My whole college experience was so special and transformative for my life and me. Ever since, I've had a deep desire to create a similar or better experience for the student-athletes I coach. A great experience includes relationships, being a part of something bigger that yourself, growth and achievement, challenge, and fun. I had all that in college and I've tried to provide all of that to the student-athletes I coach. I have always been on good teams with good coaches and so many of those people have shaped what ASU Golf will be by their influence on me."
What were some of the keys to building a strong program at Washington?
"We always put our players first and understood that players are the only reason we have coaches. We served and cared for them and coached them to greater skill and discipline in their lives. We were tough and competed with a lot of passion and belief. We always felt that we wanted it more than the next player and team. Another area that was crucial to our success was our connection to the community. We developed a true college golf community around our program and many people felt connected and involved. They brought their expertise and passion and resources to our program and it allowed us to do everything we needed to do so that it was the best experience possible for our student-athletes. We were able to build great new facilities and provide better coaching and experience because of all of the support and connection with the community. I learned how much joy a great golf program with exceptional young men can bring to others. I feel like we also got the right kind of guys that fit our culture."
Arizona State won national championships in 1990 and 1996 and four Sun Devils have won six national individual titles. Does that set your standard
"I understand that winning championships is an expectation here. I was a college golfer in the 1990s and I know what it looked like when ASU was winning everything. That's my expectation too. As we do things right, I believe that will happen."
How much more challenging is the collegiate landscape now than it was when you started coaching?
"It's unbelievable how much it has changed. There are probably 150 schools that are truly trying to be awesome. They have good budgets, facilities, coaches, community support, etc. It's harder than ever to differentiate. Everyone has good 'stuff.' So where you really win now, if you have the facilities and coaching and support you need, is with your culture and the velocity of improvement in your student-athletes. We can't build a facility and have good weather and expect that the best players in the world will just fall into our lap. There are many other places that have that stuff, too. We will have to work very hard for every recruit. Our competition is working hard. So we will have to work harder than ever and it will be our culture and quality of the overall experience that will make recruits want to be here and will make our players improve faster."
Given your experience directing capital projects and fundraising, what sort of efforts can we expect for Sun Devil men's golf?
"We can't be dominant or dynastic without elite facilities to train and compete on. We have good facilities and courses here that we use, but we need to always improve them. Everyone else is in the country is building (or has built) new facilities that make the facilities of the past look much different than they did a couple decades ago. We just can't rest and be content with what we have. We need to always grow. Exactly what and how that happens we will learn over time here. I will be a donor to the golf program, but I realize that most of the money to do these projects comes from generous people who care about our students and our program. My hope is that our fans and supporters will see the kind of program we have and the kind of young men we develop and want to be a part of it. Then they will gain a deeper understanding of our needs and vision for the future. Hopefully then they will want to help us make it happen. We intend to earn their support by who we are every day and by the compelling vision for the future we create."
Have you had a chance to meet with any of the players yet, and what was your message to them?
"I've talked with all of them. I just want them to know I'm here for them. They are the story and key to our success. We believe in them and expect a lot of them."
What are your expectations for your first year?
"The biggest key is to develop the foundation of our culture, see improvement in our players, and get a few great recruits. I have some on course goals, but I'm not ready to share those quite yet. Personally, I really want (seniors) Ki Taek (Lee), Nicolo (Galletti), and Jared (du Toit) to have great seasons on and off the course and to leave ASU very proud of the impact they've had on our program, and prepared for big success in the next stage of their lives."