Kristen Simpson Named Penn State Women’s Golf Head Coach

A new era has begun on the greens of Happy Valley.

Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Pat Kraft on Tuesday named Kristen Simpson the next head coach of the Penn State women’s golf team.

Simpson will succeed legendary coach Denise St. Pierre at the helm of the team. St. Pierre announced her retirement in May after 31 years leading the program.

Simpson arrives in Happy Valley with 11 years of coaching experience. For the past two seasons, she was the assistant coach at Wisconsin. Prior to her stint in Madison, Simpson held assistant coaching positions at Old Dominion and Maryland before becoming the associate head coach at North Carolina from 2018 to 2021.

“I am thrilled and honored to be named the next head women’s golf coach at Penn State! I would first like to thank Dr. Pat Kraft, Brandi Stuart, Joe Hughes and the entire leadership team for their support and belief in my vision for the future,” Simpson said in a release. “I look forward to continuing to build on the strong foundation Coach St. Pierre built! I can’t wait to get to Happy Valley and join the Penn State family!”

Simpson played college golf at Virginia and served as the team captain for her two final seasons.

Penn State finished the 2023 campaign by winning the inaugural National Golf Invitational in Maricopa, Arizona.

Simpson’s arrival marks the changing of the guard for both golf programs in Happy Valley. Mark Leon was named the incoming head coach of the men’s team earlier this month.