Valdosta State head men’s golf coach Jared Purvis begins his 24th season at the helm of the Blazers in 2025-26. Purvis has built on the strong history of success on the links as he has consistently seen his team finish among the top in the nation.
Purvis was named in 2018 to the NCAA Division II Men's Golf Committee and his term of service ran through Aug. 31, 2022. During his time on the committee, he served as chair in 2020-21 and 2021-22. In addition, he now is on his second term as chair of the GSC Golf Committee.
He has shown his talents for over two decades for the red and black as he has coached six All-Americans, including one Jack Nicklaus Award winner, while his golfers have won 14 individual tournaments and the team has won ten tournaments under his guidance. Not only has Purvis’ teams excelled on the course, but also in the classroom as he has coached 26 All-American Scholars. Purvis has nine-straight All-Academic Team Awards by the GCAA to his credit and former Blazer Wesley Hanson earned GCAA Academic All-America honors twice. During his time in Titletown, Purvis has led the Blazers to the NCAA postseason 12 times as a team and 11 times with individual golfers. He has coached over 30 All-GSC honorees and nine GSC All-Tournament selections.
Purvis coached former Blazer Brent Witcher as he was named the 2009 National Player of the Year and Witcher was selected to compete in the USA vs. Japan Matches in 2008. Purvis has had four players qualify for the US Amateur and all but one of his players who have played out their eligibility has graduated.
Not only does Purvis coach, but he also serves on a number of committees as he currently is a member of the NCAA Men’s Golf Committee. Purvis has been a voting member on the national coaches’ poll, and served on multiple committees for Hall of Fame, All-America and the Jan Strickland Award Committee.
In 2018-19, Purvis guided the Blazers to their first NCAA postseason appearance since 2013 as a team after the Blazers finished runner-up in the 2019 Gulf South Conference Championship. In the Super Regional, VSU jumped five spots on the final day with a final round 297 finishing tied for 12th. Not only did Purvis and the Blazers excel on the links, but also in the classroom as senior Matt Anderson earned Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar accolades and the Blazers were one of 34 NCAA Division II men’s golf programs who had a cumulative team grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.
Purvis showed his talent at building nationally competitive teams during the 2007-08 season as he recruited two players who would go on to earn All-America honors at the end of the year. His leadership led Valdosta State to the 2008 Notre Dame de Namur Invitational championship, the fourth time in his career that the Blazers had won a tournament. Additionally, a pair of Blazers claimed individual medalist honors a total of three times on the year. Witcher, who went on to earn First-Team All-America honors at the end of the season, claimed a pair of wins on the year at the NSU Shark Invitational and the NDNU Invitational while falling in a playoff for a third victory at the First Federal Southeastern Collegiate. Jason Flowers also earned a victory after rolling to an eight-under 208 at the Rollins Invitational. Joining Witcher in earning All-America status was Cole Willis, who was recognized as honorable mention All-America. Purvis led the Blazers to the fifth NCAA Regional bid in six seasons under his leadership and aided the team in finishing fourth at the Gulf South Conference championships.
Purvis’ leadership helped Witcher gain greater notoriety at the end of the year as the junior was one of only two NCAA Division II players selected to represent the United States in the Fuji Xerox U.S. vs. Japan Collegiate Cup. Likewise, Witcher also qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championships after winning a qualifying event.
He graduated in 2002 with a degree in business administration from Troy University with an emphasis in management. Purvis played four years for the golf team at Troy where he was named Co-Captain in 2000-01 and Captain in 2001-02.
