Kevin Gibson, who had served as the women's golf head coach for 14 seasons, resigned on Tuesday, according to a press release by Rick Bender, director of varsity athletic communications. Gina Yoder has served as the Big Green's acting head coach since Gibson went on medical leave in early April.
Players were first told about the resignation in an email sent to the team from team advisor Megan Sobel on Tuesday, Julie Campbell '13 said in an email to The Dartmouth.
"The team's reaction was united in that we all hope the best for Coach Gibson," Knapp said in an email to The Dartmouth.
The team was not informed of the reasons for Gibson's resignation, Campbell said. She declined to comment as to whether Gibson's departure came as a surprise.
"As of now, we do not know who our new coach will be," Sarah Knapp '14 said. "The Athletic Department will most likely be undergoing a search process soon, and we know that we are in good hands with them."
Gibson was hired on an interim basis in 1998, when the Big Green finished third at the Boston College Invitational and the Ivy League Championship. Gibson retained the position full-time at the end of the season and led the team to its first victory in six years at the Boston College Invitational the following season.
The Big Green finished third out of 20 teams at the Dartmouth Invitational this season, and Knapp received medalist honors at the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championship this fall.
"Gibson allowed us to take responsibility for our development as golfers," Campbell said. "I wish him the best in the future and I am sure he will succeed in his next endeavor."
Knapp said that the dynamic of Gibson's team factored into her decision to attend Dartmouth.
"Coach Gibson dedicated 14 years to Dartmouth women's golf and was well respected among players and coaches alike," Knapp said.
Gibson graduated from Springfield College in 1980 before working as a manager and golf professional at the Carter Country Club in Lebanon, N.H. In 1992, he began working at the Country Club of New Hampshire in North Sutton, N.H., serving as general manager. Gibson was also the varsity golf coach for approximately 10 years at Kearsarge Regional High School in Sutton, N.H., before arriving at Dartmouth.
Yoder was abruptly appointed acting head coach for the remainder of the season when Gibson left the team in April, The Dartmouth previously reported. Campbell said the transition from Gibson to Yoder was smooth and that the Athletic Department efficiently handled the coaching change.
Yoder served as Xavier University's head coach from 2001 to 2005. She was an academic All-American while a student at Michigan University and received the team's lowest average award in 1993.
Campbell said that she will always be "indebted" to Yoder for all of her help during the past season.
"[Yoder] was gracious enough to act as interim head coach and we are very grateful to her for all her hard work," Campbell said. "She did an excellent job of taking a brand new team and helping us to improve and have confidence in ourselves."
Gibson and Yoder did not respond to requests for comment by press time.
