Florida Tabs Leon as New Assistant Men’s Golf Coach
Thursday, July 13, 2017 | Men's Golf
Mark Leon joins the Gators after being an assistant coach at Penn State since 2011
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Florida head coach JC Deacon announced Thursday the addition Penn State assistant coach Mark Leon to the same position on the Gators coaching staff.
"We are extremely fortunate to add Mark Leon as our new Assistant Golf Coach," Coach Deacon said. "Mark brings a ton of experience and enthusiasm to the Gator program. He is really intelligent and absolutely loves the game of golf. As someone who was a successful collegiate and professional golfer, Mark will bring great value to our student-athletes both on and off the golf course. He is one of the nicest people I have ever met and I value the mutual trust we have in each other. Our program needs to take the next step this upcoming season and Mark is ready for that challenge.
His wife Jamie, daughter Cameron, and young son AJ, fit perfectly into our Florida Gator family. I can't express how grateful we are that the Leon family has joined us in our development of young men and our pursuit of championships."
Under Leon's guidance since the start of the 2011-12, the Nittany Lions have advanced to the NCAA Tournament the last four seasons while having 19 All-Region selections and a 2017 PING All-American honoree in rising senior Cole Miller.
Before joining the Nittany Lion coaching staff, he spent four years on the Canadian Tour. Leon had two top-10 finishes placing fourth in the 2008 Players Cup and tied for sixth in 2009.
Leon, a 2005 Penn State graduate, was a member of the Nittany Lion golf team from 2001-05 earning All-Big Ten honors in 2005, 2004 GCAA All-American recognition and All-Region selection in 2003, '04 and '05. He is fifth on Penn State's career scoring leaders list with a 73.79 average in the 134 rounds he played on the squad.
As a junior, Leon led the team to a great finish in the 2004 NCAA Championships. He posted a three-round, one-under par total of 279 (69-69-70-71) to tie for sixth, the best all-time finish in Penn State history.
"I've known JC since we started playing together at 12 years old in Canada," Leon said. "And then we started coaching together at around the same time and he was always someone that I would call just to pick his brain on certain things. His friendship and guidance has helped me become a better coach.
Obviously, what he and John built down there was special and coming down to Gainesville and to see it during my interview process was an amazing experience. I had the opportunity to meet some of the players and administrators who were all great to meet. Penn State will always be a place that is very close to my heart but, I knew it was where I had to be at this point in my career and an opportunity to work with one of your best friends at a special place."
Mark Leon File
Coaching Experience:
2017-Present: Florida, Assistant Coach
2011-17: Penn State, Assistant Coach
Playing Experience:
2007-10: Canadian Tour
2001-05: Penn State
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"We are extremely fortunate to add Mark Leon as our new Assistant Golf Coach," Coach Deacon said. "Mark brings a ton of experience and enthusiasm to the Gator program. He is really intelligent and absolutely loves the game of golf. As someone who was a successful collegiate and professional golfer, Mark will bring great value to our student-athletes both on and off the golf course. He is one of the nicest people I have ever met and I value the mutual trust we have in each other. Our program needs to take the next step this upcoming season and Mark is ready for that challenge.
His wife Jamie, daughter Cameron, and young son AJ, fit perfectly into our Florida Gator family. I can't express how grateful we are that the Leon family has joined us in our development of young men and our pursuit of championships."
Under Leon's guidance since the start of the 2011-12, the Nittany Lions have advanced to the NCAA Tournament the last four seasons while having 19 All-Region selections and a 2017 PING All-American honoree in rising senior Cole Miller.
Before joining the Nittany Lion coaching staff, he spent four years on the Canadian Tour. Leon had two top-10 finishes placing fourth in the 2008 Players Cup and tied for sixth in 2009.
Leon, a 2005 Penn State graduate, was a member of the Nittany Lion golf team from 2001-05 earning All-Big Ten honors in 2005, 2004 GCAA All-American recognition and All-Region selection in 2003, '04 and '05. He is fifth on Penn State's career scoring leaders list with a 73.79 average in the 134 rounds he played on the squad.
As a junior, Leon led the team to a great finish in the 2004 NCAA Championships. He posted a three-round, one-under par total of 279 (69-69-70-71) to tie for sixth, the best all-time finish in Penn State history.
"I've known JC since we started playing together at 12 years old in Canada," Leon said. "And then we started coaching together at around the same time and he was always someone that I would call just to pick his brain on certain things. His friendship and guidance has helped me become a better coach.
Obviously, what he and John built down there was special and coming down to Gainesville and to see it during my interview process was an amazing experience. I had the opportunity to meet some of the players and administrators who were all great to meet. Penn State will always be a place that is very close to my heart but, I knew it was where I had to be at this point in my career and an opportunity to work with one of your best friends at a special place."
Mark Leon File
Coaching Experience:
2017-Present: Florida, Assistant Coach
2011-17: Penn State, Assistant Coach
Playing Experience:
2007-10: Canadian Tour
2001-05: Penn State
Follow the Gators:
FloridaGators.com
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