UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Patrick Kraft named former Nittany Lion standout Mark Leon as the head coach of the Penn State men's golf team Friday. A Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) All-American, GCAA All-Region and All-Big Ten selection as a Penn State student-athlete from 2001-05, Leon returns to his alma after serving as the head coach at Florida Atlantic for the last two seasons.
In addition to his time as the head coach of the Owls, Leon's coaching career has also seen him make assistant coaching stops at Florida (2017-21) and Penn State (2011-17).
"I want to thank Pat Kraft for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime to be the men's golf coach at Penn State University," said Leon. "For the past 22 years, the Penn State men's golf program has been shaping my life. My teammates are still my best friends, my girlfriend Jaime became my wife and we have two beautiful children, Cameron and AJ. Athletically, Penn State gave me an opportunity to grow and compete at the highest levels of amateur golf, and ultimately enter the profession of coaching.
"Coming to Penn State in 2001 was the best decision I ever made, and having the chance to be named the head coach 22 years later is truly the greatest honor of my life," continued Leon. "I believe in this place and what it does for young people. I cannot believe that I have the opportunity to continue to share this journey with new generations of student-athletes and families. We Are!"
"We are excited to bring Mark home as our head men's golf coach," said Kraft. "Mark's love of Penn State and Happy Valley runs deep as he was not only one of the most successful players in program history, but also as a top-notch assistant coach. He knows what it takes to develop a program that can contend for Big Ten and NCAA Championships. We are thrilled to have Mark, Jaime, Cameron and AJ join us in Happy Valley!"
Leon was named the head men's golf coach at Florida Atlantic in August 2021. He mentored five All-Conference USA selections during his two seasons with the Owls. Leon's 2021-22 FAU team won the stroke play portion of the Conference USA Championship, in addition to the Bayou City Collegiate tournament title.
Leon spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Florida prior to his appointment as head coach at FAU. While with the Gators, Leon helped guide Florida to three-straight NCAA Regional appearances (2020 NCAA Championship events were canceled due to COVID-19) and a berth in the 2021 NCAA Finals. Leon helped mentor five GCAA All-Americans, the 2020 Phil Mickelson Award winner, the 2020 and 2021 SEC Freshmen of the Year, six All-SEC honorees and three SEC All-Freshman team members throughout his four seasons in Gainesville.
Prior to his time at Florida, Leon served under long-time head coach Greg Nye as an assistant coach at Penn State from 2011-17. He helped the Nittany Lions advance to NCAA Regionals in four-straight seasons, including Penn State's most recent trip to the NCAA Finals in 2017. Leon coached a pair of GCAA All-Americans in Cole Miller and Charles Huntzinger in addition to 19 GCAA All-Region selections during his first coaching stint in Happy Valley.
Leon spent four years on the Canadian Tour before getting into the coaching ranks. He had two top-10 finishes, placing fourth in the 2008 Players Cup and tied for sixth in 2009.
One of the most accomplished players in Penn State history, Leon earned 2004 GCAA All-America honors, three GCAA All-Region nods and All-Big Ten honors. Leon led the Nittany Lions to the 2004 NCAA Finals, finishing tied for sixth as an individual, which still stands as the best individual finish in Penn State history.
Leon graduated from Penn State with a degree in history in 2005. He is married to the former Jaime Stitch, who was a member of the Penn State women's soccer team from 2001-04. The couple has two children, Cameron and AJ.
