New Stetson men's golf coach Danny Forshey had a simple message for his new team when they got together for the first time Monday afternoon at the Edinger Golf Practice Facility.
 
"We are going to do the little things, we are going to work hard, and we aren't going to make excuses," Forshey told the players before their first practice session. "We are going to be accountable for the things we do, on and off the golf course, whether we are here at this beautiful facility or on campus."
 
Forshey, who previously served as the head coach for both the men's and women's golf teams at Bethune-Cookman and Alcorn State and, most recently served as the head men's golf coach at Appalachian State, took over the Stetson men's program on Monday. The Hatters had been without a coach since mid-July.
 
"We are happy to welcome Danny to the Stetson Hatter family," Stetson Deputy Director of Athletics Alicia Queally said. "His vision for the future of our program was well articulated throughout the hiring process. It was clear he wants to lead the men's golf program and see it become more competitive, both in the ASUN Conference and nationally."
 
Queally, who chaired the committee charged with conducting the search for a new golf coach, said it was a challenging process because of the timing of the search.
 
"Conducting a head coaching search at the beginning of the academic year is never ideal; however, we had tremendous candidates apply for the position, which speaks volumes to what we have to offer here at Stetson.
 
"It was a search that drew a lot of positive attention from alumni and donors. It was great to see everyone excited about the future of the Stetson men's golf program. I have no doubt that Danny will be able to raise the bar in multiple areas of our program. He has a commitment to excellence, and I'm eager for the future of the men's golf team."
 
A native of Montgomery, Ala., Forshey played golf professionally from 1998 through 2013 before opening his own golf academy where he worked with professional players, collegiate athletes and junior players, providing private lessons, teaching tournament preparation and focusing on the mental aspects of the game.
 
He got his start as a collegiate coach in 2016-17, leading the men's and women's teams at Alcorn State University. His men's team captured three tournament titles, including a SWAC title. He was named the SWAC Coach of the Year and led the men's team to an NCAA Tournament appearance.
 
Forshey took over as Director of Golf, leading both the men's and women's golf teams, at Bethune-Cookman University in 2017. Over three seasons the Wildcats men's team won nine tournaments while the women's team captured seven tournament titles, all while posting 3.65 and 3.55 grade point averages.
 
He was hired to lead the men's golf program at Appalachian State University in 2019, helping the Mountaineers set eight program records during the fall semester. The team improved its scoring average by 12.37 strokes per round and earned four top three tournament finishes before the season fell victim to the Covid pandemic.
 
In addition to a 105 spot improvement in the GolfStat team rankings for the ASU program, Forshey was able to raise more than $100,000 to help cover team operating expenses at Appalachian State.
 
Forshey returned to Volusia County after the 2020 season came to a premature end and restarted his golf academy in Port Orange.
 
He'll hit the ground running with the Hatters, who have already played one event this fall without a coach. Forshey will lead the team into an event for the first time October 10-12 in Jonesboro, Ark., when the Hatters play in the Bubba Barnett Intercollegiate hosted by Arkansas State University.
 
A 2019 graduate of Amridge University in Montgomery, Forshey and his wife, Lindsey, have two children, Hailey (18) and Ryan (13), He can be followed on Twitter and Instagram @DannyForshey.
 
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.