Tuesday, January 8, 2019
BILLINGS, Mont. – Announcing a rearrangement to its coaching structure on Tuesday, the Montana State University Billings athletics department named Jeff Allen the interim head coach of the men’s and women’s golf teams effective immediately.
“We are excited Jeff has accepted our offer to lead our men’s and women’s golf programs,” said MSUB director of athletics Krista Montague. “He is an excellent teacher of the game and the experience he has gained as our assistant coach and as an assistant golf professional makes him an excellent choice to move our golf programs forward. As a four-year player on our men’s golf team, Jeff will bring passion and energy to MSUB golf and the university as a whole. We look forward to growing the program under Coach Allen’s leadership.”
Allen will step in for Kevin Woodin who is in his 15th season as the Yellowjackets’ head women’s basketball coach. Woodin took over both men’s and women’s golf programs in the midst of the 2015-16 academic year and hired Allen as an assistant coach prior to the 2016-17 academic year. Prior to the 2018-19 season, Allen was promoted to associate head coach, as he has held key responsibilities for both teams during the last three years.
“I am excited for this opportunity, and a huge thanks to Coach Woodin and Krista for having the trust in me to take the next step and move the program forward,” said Allen. “Thanks to Coach Woodin and the culture he has created, we have a lot of talented players on our team. I am looking forward to getting to work with them in order to reach our potential for the upcoming spring season.”
Marcus Drange, who has served as an assistant coach in the golf program since the 2014-15 season, will remain in his current role in assisting both programs.
Allen competed in golf at MSUB from 2006-10, before completing his bachelor’s degree in liberal studies. Since finishing his studies, Allen has worked his way up in the local golf community and currently serves as the assistant golf professional at Hilands Golf Club. He completed the PGA PGM program in 2016, and was elected a Class A PGA Professional in February of that year.
Among Allen’s professional accolades include the 2014 Rocky Mountain Section PGA Assistant Golf Professional of the Year, and the 2018 Rocky Mountain Section PGA Youth Player Development award winner. Allen is married to Yellowjacket Hall of Famer Kalli (Stanhope) Allen, who competed in women’s basketball and women’s golf during her time at MSUB.
Woodin will continue his duties as the head coach of MSUB’s women’s basketball team. “We want to sincerely thank Coach Woodin for stepping up for our golf programs when they needed it most, and for doing such a great job,” Montague commented. “He was able to provide important stability and served as an excellent role model for the student-athletes. Our golf programs have seen many positive steps under the direction of Coach Woodin, and we completely support his decision to focus on the women’s basketball program moving forward. We are so fortunate to have Coach Woodin on our staff. His character, work ethic and passion for our department and university are unparalleled.”
The Yellowjacket golf teams begin their spring schedules on March 8-9 at the Beaver Invitational at Aliante Golf Club in Las Vegas, Nevada.