BEAUMONT, Texas – Jessie Mudd has been promoted to Lamar University Director of Golf announced Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeff O'Malley. In addition to Mudd's promotion, O'Malley also announced the hiring of Julie Aime as associate head coach while Alexandra Starkova has been named Head Women's Tennis Coach.
"We are very pleased to promote Jessie to Director of Golf," said O'Malley. "Over the past 11 seasons, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and has elevated our men's program back to consistent championship contention while earning respect at the conference and national levels. Jessie's vision aligns closely with the values and priorities of Lamar University—competitive excellence, academic success, and the development of our student‑athletes. His experience, leadership and commitment to our institution will position our golf programs for sustained success as we continue to move Lamar Athletics forward."
Originally hired as the men's head coach in July 2015, Mudd will now oversee both men's and women's programs. During his time at the helm of the men's golf program, Mudd has produced 19 all-conference selections (Southland and WAC) – including three first-team honorees, six conference golfers of the month selections and two league freshmen of the year.
The Cardinals have posted seven top-five finishes at the conference championships during his time in Beaumont, including three runner-up finishes. During the majority of that run, the Southland also had national powerhouse Augusta State competing in the league as an affiliate member. This past season, Lamar carded a new 54-hole tournament record at the Golden Nugget Invitational – 274-271-278 – 823 – besting the previous mark which was set in 2007.
"First, I would like to thank University President Dr. Jaime Taylor and Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeff O'Malley for giving me this opportunity and trusting me with the role moving forward," said Mudd. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity and challenge of the new position and eager to learn and continue to grow both programs."
Entering his 12th season with the Red and White, the Cardinals have also taken care of business in the classroom. Mudd has produced 15 Academic All-Southland selections – including five first-team nods, five Cobalt Golf All-America Scholars and the team has been recognized with the GCAA Team Academic Award each of the past two seasons.
Mudd will be joined on staff by Aime who will work directly with the LU women's program, and is one of the program's all-time best players. O'Malley went with a standout NAIA coach who built a program from the ground up as the next women's tennis head coach with Starkova.
"It is a special time when you have three great announcements to make all on the same day," said O'Malley. "Julie is one of the program's all-time greats who went on to play professionally, while Starkova played and coached in this region and has built a name for herself as one of the most successful head coaches at the NAIA level. Both bring a level of excitement to their respective programs that will be fun to watch. I look forward to the future of these two programs under their leadership."
Aime makes the transition to the coaching world after a 10-year professional career on the LPGA and European Tours. During that time, she managed her own playing career coordinating her own practice schedules, travel – which included anywhere from 25 to 30 weeks on the road each year – and developed her own training and fitness routine.
A 2019 Epson Tour Rookie of the Year, Aime played in 89 events (from 2019 to 2023) making the cut 60 times recording seven top 10 finishes. This coming following a collegiate career where Aime was a three-time All-Southland selection for the Red and White, including a first-team honor in 2013 when she led Big Red to the Southland Conference title and a trip to the NCAA Regional Championships.
"Returning to Lamar University as the associate head coach of women's golf is a true full-circle moment for me," said Aime. "Having played on the team myself, this program holds a special place in my heart. My journey - from playing for the Cardinals to competing 10 years on the professional tour - has taught me a lot of what it takes to succeed. My goal is to share those insights with my players, so they can benefit both on and off the course. I am very grateful to University President Dr. Jaime Taylor and Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeff O'Malley for this opportunity. I am ready to elevate our game and be competitive again!"
A former assistant coach at McNeese, Louisiana Tech and UL Lafayette, Starkova has spent the previous four seasons at Louisiana Christian University as the head coach. During her brief time with the Wildcats, LCU has posted top 25 finishes each of the past two seasons climbing as high as eighth in 2026.
The Wildcats posted a 12-7 (.632) overall record this past season including a 4-1 (.800) mark in conference play and advanced to the NAIA Championship tournament. Over the course of the past two seasons LCU has produced three all-conference selections including two first-team honorees.
Starkova began her collegiate coaching career at her alma mater, Louisiana Tech, before moving on McNeese where she spent two seasons. During her time with the Cowgirls, she helped lead McNeese to 29 overall victories and a share of the 2018 Southland Conference regular season title. McNeese's 2018 squad landed seven players on the all-conference teams including two first-team selections. Her success in Lake Charles came following a one-year stint in Ruston, La., where she helped guide the Lady Techsters to a No. 66 national ranking – the highest rank in program history.
"I am incredibly honored and excited to join Lamar University as the head women's tennis coach," said Starkova. "I would like to thank Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeff O'Malley and Dr. Jaime Taylor for their trust and belief in my vision for this program. From my first conversations with them, it was clear that Lamar is committed to excellence, student-athlete development and competing for championships. I look forward to building a culture of hard work, accountability and success while helping our student-athletes grow both on the court and in the classroom. My family and I are thrilled to become part of the Cardinal family, and I can't wait to get started."
Game One U assisted Lamar during the coaching search for both programs.
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