Edinboro, Pa. – Edinboro Athletics announced Dr. Jay Willow as the inaugural head coach of the newly formed women's golf team.
 
"We are extremely excited to add Jay to our staff as we launch the women's golf program," said Director of Athletics Dr. Katherine Robbins. "He is a proven winner, program builder and has a deep understanding of the game of golf and college athletics. His focus on the whole student-athlete will be an asset not only to his team, but to the entire athletic department."
 
A 1994 graduate of Edinboro, Willow has extensive coaching experience at the college, high school and youth levels.
 
"I am honored that Dr. Robbins, and the search committee have entrusted me to lead this exciting new chapter in Fighting Scot Athletics," said Willow. "I'm thrilled to be returning to my alma mater and will work tirelessly toward realizing the vision of President Anderson and Dr.  Robbins in fostering holistic student athlete development; striving to achieve at a high level both on the course, and more importantly in the classroom and in life."
 
Willow spent three seasons coaching women's golf at Gannon. He was the 2011 PSAC Coach of the Year helping the Golden Knights to their first conference championship in school history. During his tenure, he coached a pair of PSAC Freshman of the Year as well as four first-team all-conference players and four second-team all-conference performers. Gannon won nine tournaments and recorded 19 top three finishes under his watch.
 
Willow spent the next 11 seasons coaching golf at Cathedral Prep. He helped the Ramblers to 11 straight regional titles and seven District 10 championships. Cathedral Prep had five PIAA top five finishes including winning the 2020 PIAA Team Championship.
 
Since March of 2019, Willow has been the owner and operator of Great Lakes Junior Golf Tour. He is also currently the co-owner and operator of the North Coast Junior Golf Tour.
 
Willow earned a Master of Science in Sport Studies with a concentration in Sports Behavior and Performance from Miami University and his PH. D in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Psychology at Penn State University.
 
The Edinboro women's golf team will begin play in the 2025-26 season.