Bo Harris Introductory Press Conference
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Vice President for Athletics Matt Pope announced on Tuesday that he has named Bo Harris the Eagles' new head women's golf coach.
"This is an incredible family environment," Harris said. "I love everything about what Carson-Newman stands for… With Carson-Newman being within distance from our house, a well-established NCAA program, and a great education system, this was a no-brainer for me."
While it is a quick turnaround for Harris and his team, the first-year head coach is ready to take the challenge head-on.
"I've had the great opportunity to speak with my new team," Harris said. "I am really excited to get the chance to work with them… Next week, we are just going to hit the ground running… We have three short weeks before our first tournament, so it will be a grind, but it will be a fun year."
Prior to his new opportunity at C-N, Harris has been a golf instructor in Tennessee since 2010. He has excelled as a golf instructor since beginning his career, obtaining eight Teaching Certifications, earning the title of Master Level Putting Coach, and becoming one of only three in Tennessee. Most recently, Harris was awarded the 2019 USGTF Teacher of the Year.
Following the award's acceptance in 2019, Harris transitioned into a coaching role at Roane State Community College, serving as an assistant coach and recruiter, while also serving as the athletic media director.
After four years with the men's team and helping them to its first conference championship as the head of player development in 2023, Harris stepped down to take the reins of the Roane State women's program.
Harris left his stamp on the Roane State women's program in just its third year, earning a top-25 national ranking, a top-4 finish in the Southeastern Conference, an overall tournament win, the first team regular season win, and the program's first Region 10 title.
In his time at Roane State and his instruction, Harris sent over 30 high school and NJCAA golfers to the NCAA level. While C-N provides Harris his first NCAA coaching opportunity, he believes the developmental dynamic remains the same.
"When I helped the men's and the women's teams at Roane State, the dynamic with them was to get them to progress on and off the golf course," Harris said. "It was to get them to the next level. Here, it is to get them ready for the real world… The dynamic will be the same in preparing the kids for after their experience here in college, but also developing their games and trying to bring home a title."
C-N brings back a handful of talent from last year's team, including sophomores Macy Bromley and Emery Fisher, and experienced talent in junior Ida Petersen and junior Madison Cline. Harris sees the mixture of youth and experience as a prime opportunity for development.
"When we learn to work together, it's going to give the upperclassmen an opportunity to help grow and give advice to the younger players," Harris said. "The younger players will really start to figure out where they are and be able to grow on the golf course and in the classroom."
With the first fall tournament just three weeks away, Harris sees the 2024 schedule as a daunting but opportunistic slate in his first season with the Eagles.
"I think it's challenging," Harris said. "But I think that's a good thing… Later on, there will be a little bit of a dip in being more comfortable, but what better way to get better than to play against the best?... Anyone who plays against Carson-Newman this year will have to be ready for it."
For more information regarding C-N's upcoming fall slate and other Eagles' women's golf news, visit cneagles.com and follow us on social media @cn_eagles.
