DENVER – University of Denver women's golf head coach Martha Richards has signed a multi-year contract extension to continue to lead the Pioneers, Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Ritchie Center Operations Josh Berlo announced on Tuesday.
"In my time with Martha in our two seasons together in Denver, Martha has continued to build upon her already nationally known coaching prowess and has displayed a drive for continued success of our women's golf program," Berlo said. "Martha is committed to the holistic success of the student-athlete at the University of Denver, and I know our program has a bright future ahead under her continued leadership."
Richards made it three Summit League Women's Golf Coach of the Year awards in three years in 2023-24, guiding the program to its fifth-straight Summit League title, its 19th Division I conference championship and its 22nd-straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Richards and the Pioneers were just four strokes away from their fourth NCAA Championship appearance in team history. This year's finish marked the first top-six finish at an NCAA Regional since winning the 2009 regional championship.
"I am incredibly honored to receive this contract extension and to continue my coaching career with such an amazing program at the University of Denver," Richards said. "I am so appreciative of Vice Chancellor of Athletics Josh Berlo and Chancellor Jeremy Haefner for their belief in me to lead this program. I'm grateful to work in an athletic department filled with so many great coaches and staff that give incredible support to our student-athletes. With all the changes happening in college athletics right now, it's inspiring to be at a place that is committed to doing things the right way, and I am blessed to coach student-athletes who want to get a world-class education, compete for championships at the highest level, and continue to grow as teammates and human beings."
The 2004 Golfweek National Coach of the Year has accomplished a great deal in her storied career on the collegiate golf landscape, taking three different programs to conference championships, earning five conference coach of the year honors, making 18 NCAA Regional appearances and nine NCAA Championship appearances.
Under Richards guidance, Anna Zanusso was a three-time Summit League Women's Golfer of the Year, and the Pioneers turned in record-breaking Summit League Championship performances as a team in back-to-back seasons, breaking their 54-hole record total from 2023 with an 850 (-14) team score last spring.
"I want to thank our recent alumni for all they gave while they were here and their continued belief in me and our team. Thanks to our current players too for all they are doing to continue our program's success. I am especially grateful to the Moore family for their incredible support and for providing us with the University of Denver Golf Club, which has been, and will continue to be, instrumental in our success. A heartfelt thank you to our alumni who laid the foundation for this program and continue to support us in so many ways. Finally, thank you to our donors and friends of the program for their continued support, which makes everything we do possible. We have something truly special here, and I'm excited about the future of Denver Women's Golf."
Richards also had collegiate head coaching stints at Texas (2007-14), Vanderbilt (2001-07) and Boise State (1997-98). In addition to her three conference championships in her three seasons with the Pioneers, Richards won the Big 12 title with Texas in 2011 and the SEC title with Vanderbilt in 2004. Richards was a two-time SEC Coach of the Year (2003, 2004) in her stint at Vanderbilt. Prior to her time in Nashville, Vandy had never advanced to the NCAA Championship, a fact Richards quickly put to rest when guiding the Commodores to two NCAA top-10 finishes in her seven seasons.
In-between her time in Austin and in Denver, Richards served as the athletic director of Aspen High School, overseeing the operation of its 25 varsity sports.
The Hudson, Wisconsin, native was a multi-sport athlete at Stanford, setting foot on The Farm as the 1988 National High School Basketball Player of the Year. Richards would help the Stanford women's basketball team to the national championship in 1990, while earning All-America honors in golf before being named to the Pac-10 All-Decade Golf team of the 1990s.
Richards continued her two-sport life after college, playing two seasons on the LPGA Tour (1995-96) and being inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in October, 2010.
DENVER'S HOME FOR COLLEGE SPORTS
Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 18 of DU's NCAA Division I sports.
Like DU Swimming & Diving on Facebook
Follow DU Swimming & Diving on Twitter at @DU_SwimDive
Follow DU Swimming & Diving on Instagram
