Valparaiso University Director of Athletics Mark LaBarbera has announced that Jonathan Haas has stepped down as the head coach of the Valpo women’s golf program.

Haas and his family will move to Colorado, where he has accepted a position as a teacher and coach. He took over Valpo’s program in December 2016.

“We would like to thank Coach Haas for the hard work he has put into our program over the last two years,” LaBarbera said. “He displayed great enthusiasm for our program and our University. We appreciate his leadership of our women’s golf program during the transition to the Missouri Valley Conference.”

Haas led the Crusaders to their best scoring average in program history in his first season at the helm as Valpo compiled a 322.2 team scoring average in 2016–2017, more than a stroke better than the previous team record set in 2012–2013. Under Haas’ direction, two players finished with season scoring averages that ranked in the Top 4 in program history.

In addition, Haas was at the helm as the Crusaders posted the best 54-hole tournament score in program history on April 2–3, 2017 at the Fort Wayne Classic, stroking a 941 as a team. That score was six strokes better than the previous program record.

In Haas’ second season in 2017–2018, the University made the leap to the prestigious Missouri Valley Conference after 10 years in the Horizon League. Valpo once again enjoyed one of the program’s best seasons, finishing with a team scoring average of 326.06, a mark that ranks fourth in program history. The team finished the season strong, setting season lows three straight rounds in the MVC Championship.

“Having the opportunity to coach at Valparaiso University was one of the most rewarding personal and professional experiences of my life,” Haas said. “I will forever be thankful for the 10 young women who I had the opportunity to coach the last two years. While I’m excited about my family’s new future in Colorado, I will certainly miss my days on campus. Valpo is a truly unique and special place.”