Assistant Coach Payne Denman joined the Men's Golf program in June 2025.
A rising talent in the collegiate coaching ranks and accomplished amateur golfer, Denman joins USF after a successful year at Tennessee and two seasons as an assistant coach at Middle Tennessee State, where he helped guide both programs to national prominence.
In his lone season at Tennessee, Denman helped the Volunteers reach their second consecutive NCAA Championship and a top-20 national finish. He played an instrumental role in the development of Golfweek All-American Lance Simpson and contributed to a culture of consistency and growth under head coach Brennan Webb.
Prior to his time in Knoxville, Denman served as assistant coach at Middle Tennessee from 2022 to 2024. During his tenure, the Blue Raiders captured a team title at the 2023 Daniel Island Intercollegiate, produced nine All-Conference USA selections across two seasons, and earned a berth in the 2023 NCAA Regionals. In 2023, Owen Stamper was named Conference USA Player of the Year and qualified for the NCAA West Lafayette Regional in 2024 under Denman’s mentorship.
Also a decorated amateur player, Denman claimed the 2024 Tennessee State Amateur Championship, earning a historic exemption into the U.S. Amateur. He made a quarterfinal run at the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball and finished runner-up in the Tennessee State Amateur Four-Ball. A native of Riverwatch, Tenn., Denman played collegiately at Middle Tennessee from 2012–15 after beginning his career at Florida.
