CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Director of Golf Danielle Kaufman has resigned her position, the school announced today.

Kaufman was named the head coach for the women’s golf team on June 14, 2018, and served four seasons at SIU. She guided Southern to a Missouri Valley Conference Championship in 2019, then added director of golf responsibilities for both the men’s and women’s programs in 2020. Most recently, she led the men’s program to an MVC title in 2022.

“This was an exceedingly difficult decision for me to make as I had envisioned spending the rest of my professional career coaching the Salukis,” Kaufman said. “I am extremely proud of my two conference championships and the determination my teams have shown in the face of adversity the last two years.”

Kaufman was a two-time MVC Coach of the Year, winning the honor on the women’s side in 2019 and on the men’s side in 2022.

“We appreciate Danielle’s service to the University and wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors,” said SIU Director of Athletics Matt Kupec.

Prior to SIU, she coached at Rend Lake College, where she was the NJCAA Region 24 Coach of the Year in 2018. She previously coached at Indiana University East.

The Nashville, Ill., native, played golf at Southern under Saluki Hall of Fame coach Diane Daugherty and graduated in 2008. She also earned a master’s degree from SIU.

“As sad and disappointing as my decision may be, I still wish nothing but the best for my alma mater,” Kaufman said.