Larry Shoop named head women's golf coach

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Veteran golf coach Larry Shoop returns for his second stint at Simpson College, where he has been named the next head coach of the women's golf team. Shoop replaces Heather Sheffer, who resigned following the 2013-14 season.

Shoop is no stranger to Simpson, serving as the head men's golf coach from 2002-08. During his seven-year tenure, Shoop led the Storm to three, third-place finishes at the Iowa Conference Championship, coached six all-conference performers and helped Mike Martin earn conference medalist honors in 2003.

"I am extremely happy to have Larry back on our staff," Athletics Director Brian Niemuth said. "His track record is impressive and he really focuses on developing student-athletes as people, not just golfers. We believe he has what it takes to return our program to the top of the Iowa Conference."

The women's golf program at Simpson has a strong tradition of success on the course, crowning 10 All-Americans and qualifying for 15 NCAA Tournaments from 1991-2007.

Sheffer served as head coach for the 2013-14 season, taking over in the spring of 2013. She led Simpson to a fourth-place finish at the 2013 Iowa Conference Championship in the fall.

Aside from his previous experience at Simpson, Shoop also coached at the high school level. He served as the head boys and girls coach at Martensdale High School from 1998-2002, where he was responsible for implementing and organizing the school's first golf program.

"It's exciting," Shoop said of the opportunity to return to Simpson. "First and foremost, we have to attract the student-athlete into the program. It's my philosophy that kids want to be at Simpson for the academic opportunities, and then we'll go play golf."

Shoop's three, third-place finishes at the conference championship are the best on record for the men's program. Since 1982, Simpson has never placed higher than third. The Storm finished alone in third place in 2002 and 2007 and tied in 2004.

Mike Martin's conference MVP honors in 2003 were the first by a Simpson golfer since 1970, as he became just the fifth medalist in school history.

"[Golfing] takes skill, but more importantly it takes heart and attitude," Shoop said. "My role is to help them develop in a technical sense, but also to help them in a mental aspect."

Shoop is a 1969 graduate of Buena Vista University and was a 30-year veteran of the United States Air Force, retiring in 1999 as a Chief Master Sergeant.

Larry and his wife, Linda reside in Indianola. The couple has two children and five grandchildren. Their daughter, Karie Ellwanger lives in Indianola and their son, Kelly lives in Kansas City.

Shoop's grandson, Zach Hale, was a two-year letterwinner for the Simpson men's golf team and currently serves as an assistant coach for both the men and women.