UTEP hires UCF assistant Steve Sims to head women's golf

Central Florida women's assistant golf coach Steve Sims is set to become the third women's golf coach in UTEP history.

Sims, who played for five years as a pro and later caddied on the LPGA tour, spent the last nine years as an assistant for a UCF program that was an American Athletic Conference powerhouse. The alum of Troy University was promoted to associate head coach for the 2021-22 season when the Knights finished third in the AAC.

“I couldn’t be more excited to become the next head women’s golf coach at UTEP,” Sims said. “When I first stepped foot on campus, I knew there was truly something special about this university. UTEP is an amazing place, and I can’t wait to start recruiting, developing and graduating champions both on and off the golf course. Go Miners!”

Previous: UTEP women's golf coach Jere Pelletier retires after 28 years with Miners

UTEP Athletic Director Jim Senter said, “We are excited to launch a new era of UTEP women’s golf with Steve Sims as head coach. He has been a part of a top-35 program at UCF and played a pivotal role in the Knights’ run to four NCAA Regional appearances in the last six years.

"He is looking forward to leading his own program and building UTEP women’s golf into an annual Conference USA championship contender.”

In Sims' nine years in Orlando, UCF earned six team and two individual NCAA Regional appearances, two American Athletic Conference titles, and one NCAA Championship appearance. Before his time at UCF, Sims caddied for Marcy Hart on the LPGA Tour from 2011-13.

Sims replaces Jere Pelletier, who retired in April after 28 years at UTEP.

Bret Bloomquist can be reached at 915-546-6359; bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UTEP Miners hire UCF assistant Steve Sims to head women's golf