NORMAN — After a highly productive 17-year stretch as Oklahoma's head men's golf coach, which included a team national championship in 2017,
Ryan Hybl announced Sunday he will resign at the end of this season and accept the head coaching position at Georgia Tech in his home state. OU Vice President and Director of Athletics
Roger Denny also announced that
Jonathan Moore, the program's associate head coach and director of performance the last three years, will succeed Hybl as head coach.
A Class of 2024 Golf Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame inductee, Hybl has presided over one of the most successful periods of men's golf in school history. He has coached OU to 51 team tournament wins, 15 consecutive NCAA Championships appearances (seven NCAA Match Play showings) and the 15 best single-season scoring averages in school history. He has also coached 17 Sooners to 34 All-America honors, produced at least one All-American in all but two seasons, 18 all-conference selections, one Fred Haskins Award winner and a nation-leading eight PGA Tour University graduates.
Under Hybl's direction, the Sooners won six NCAA regional titles, including this past week in Corvallis, Ore., and Big 12 Conference crowns in 2018, 2022 and 2023. He was named the 2018 and 2021 Big 12 Coach of the Year and the 2022 Dave Williams National Coach of the Year, and served as Team USA's head coach at the 2018 Arnold Palmer Cup.
Moore, the 2006 individual NCAA champion for Oklahoma State, joined the OU staff in June 2023 after a successful professional career as a player and six years piloting the strength, conditioning and development program for OSU's men's and women's golf programs.
Since joining the Sooners, Moore has helped lead Oklahoma to back-to-back-to-back NCAA regional titles for the first time in program history and two top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships. In his three seasons in Norman, OU has captured 10 tournament titles and earned a top-three seed in NCAA regional play each year. Also during that time, five different Sooners have earned All-America honors, while three have collected All-SEC recognition. An elite recruiter, Moore also helped Oklahoma secure two top-10 recruiting classes.
A native of Vancouver, Wash., Moore turned professional after competing in the 2007 Walker Cup, where he eagled the last hole to secure the final point for Team USA. He enjoyed a nearly decade-long professional career, winning four times and establishing himself as one of the premier players on the Asian Tour. Following his retirement as a player, he returned to Stillwater as the assistant strength and conditioning coach, working primarily with the men's and women's golf teams. In addition, he developed golf-specific programs that optimized the physical tools of players to create best-in-class performance.
With Moore on staff, the Oklahoma State men's and women's programs combined to win four Big 12 championships and one national title, as well as post a runner-up finish at the 2021 NCAA women's championships. He also assisted in the development of 14 All-America golfers in the six years he spent on OSU's staff.
Moore co-founded the OSU Golf Research, Innovation and Performance (GRIP) Center, which conducted groundbreaking research with Oklahoma State golfers by identifying and measuring variables contributing to player success, including sleep, hydration, strength, power and more. The first-of-its-kind research center revolutionized the science of amateur golf and provided student-athletes with tools that professional golfers utilize daily to compete at the highest level.
In addition, Moore co-designed the Gray Institute's functional golf system – a certification taught to movement professionals worldwide to enhance their ability to rehab and train golfers.
Moore is married to Dr. Claire Moore of Cushing, Okla. They have three children: Adelyn, J.T. and Charlotte.
OU will compete next at the NCAA Championships, scheduled for May 29-June 3 at Omni LaCosta in Carlsbad, Calif.
STATEMENTS FROM DENNY, HYBL AND MOORE
VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS ROGER DENNY
"Ryan has represented the University of Oklahoma with tremendous class and integrity, and has built a culture of excellence throughout his time leading our men's golf program. Under his leadership, Oklahoma Men's Golf reached the pinnacle of the sport with a national championship while consistently competing at the highest level nationally and developing outstanding young men along the way. We are deeply grateful for everything Ryan and his family have meant to OU Athletics and the lasting impact they have made on our program. While we will certainly miss him, we fully support his decision to prioritize being closer to family and wish him continued success in this next chapter.
"As we move forward, we're incredibly excited about the future of our men's golf program under
Jonathan Moore's leadership. Jonathan is a proven competitor, an accomplished coach and instructor, and, importantly, he understands the championship standard and tradition of this program. He has a deep appreciation for what Oklahoma Golf represents, and we are confident he will lead our student-athletes with passion, vision and purpose as we pursue the next national championship.
"Oklahoma Men's Golf has built one of the premier traditions in collegiate athletics, and our future remains exceptionally bright."
RYAN HYBL, OU HEAD MEN'S GOLF COACH (2009-2026)
"Little did I know how lucky I was to be given the opportunity to lead the Oklahoma men's golf program at 26 years old. I've been pinching myself for the last 17 years because I know I have had the best job on campus. Every day at OU has been special for me, my family and our program. The surrounding cast of former players and alumni are incredible and I love them all so much. This program would not be where it is without them.
"I know many OU fans will wonder why I've decided to leave Norman for another college golf program. I want everyone to know this was the most difficult decision I've ever made, and I toiled over it for weeks. Simply put, my wife and I, who are both from Georgia, have missed out on a lot of time with loved ones back home over the last 17 years and we have a chance to return and be a part of their lives as everyone continues to get older.
"Georgia Tech Men's Golf has such a rich tradition and they have made it clear they only want to keep moving forward, so the combination of going back to the state of Georgia to be with family and being at a place that truly values its golf program – just like OU does – is something we have to pursue. I am a builder and we have built something masterful here at Oklahoma. The foundation is strong and only getting better, but it's time for me to go build somewhere else. I'm incredibly excited to follow in footsteps of hall-of-fame head coach Bruce Heppler, a true giant in the game.
"
Roger Denny and our leadership have shown nothing but an elite mindset for the future of the OU men's golf program, and he has done everything to keep my family here in Norman. I appreciate him very much. I'm also indebted to Joe Castiglione – who hired me in 2009 – and to Larry Naifeh for all of their fantastic support over the years. They were my rocks.
"I want Oklahomans to know that the great people of this state and our university have captivated our family's hearts, and that love and passion will never fade. We've raised two children here and there isn't a better place for us to have done that. But the time and the opportunity have come for us to embark on a new journey. This will be the challenge of a lifetime for us, and we want everyone to know that, as we leave, our hearts are filled from our time at Oklahoma.
"While it's difficult to say goodbye, I'm extremely happy and excited for
Jonathan Moore, who is ready for the next step. He made Oklahoma better and I know that will continue under his leadership. Our program is in great shape and this will be a seamless transition. I am the biggest
Jonathan Moore supporter and I know our guys will be excited for him in this next chapter of OU Men's Golf."
JONATHAN MOORE, NEW OU HEAD MEN'S GOLF COACH
"Being a Sooner and working for Coach Hybl is an experience I can't put into words. He helped me fulfill my calling to be a coach. I want to thank Ryan and his family for everything they have given to the program, university and this community. Their impact will be felt for years to come and I am so appreciative to them for the love and support they have given my family and me these past three seasons. It will forever be one of the most impactful periods of my life, and one for which I am incredibly grateful.
"The Oklahoma men's golf program has a strong history of success and is poised to reach new heights. The sacrifice and competitive spirit of our past leaders, former players and our current players has laid that foundation. We also have never been more supported by our fans, donors and athletics department.
"I am thankful for
Roger Denny and his team for this opportunity and their support and belief. The University of Oklahoma and the men's golf program have become my family, and getting the opportunity to serve them in this new role is an honor and a privilege. I couldn't be more fired up. For now, my full focus and attention are on Carlsbad and finishing the NCAA Championship the way we are capable of."