Brandy Stout played her college golf at Tennessee Tech under legendary coach Bobby Nichols. In July 2008, she was named as head coach of the Golden Eagle women's golf team, looking to continue the traditions and legacies of her former coach.

Stout, 26, was a member of the Tech women's squad from 2001 to 2005, graduated in 2006, and has taught golf in Cookeville the past two years.

"We are pleased and honored to announce that Brandy Stout has accepted the position of women's golf head coach," said Mark Wilson, TTU Director of Athletics. "I know that she will build upon the great foundation and tradition that Bobby Nichols established, and we will have a championship level women's golf program, both academically and athletically."

Stout was a standout high school player, earning four letters at Lenoir City High School under coach Janet McGhee, a former Tech women's basketball player. As a freshman, she was regional medalist and Player of the Year, and finished 15th individually at the TSSAA state tournament. She was also the regional medalist in 1998 and 2000, and finished third in 1999. She moved up the standings each year at the state tournament, finishing 14th as a sophomore, 11th as a junior and sixth as a senior.

Stout earned two all-tournament honors in her career, including leading Tech to the championship of the Mercer Invitational as a freshman in 2002. That same year she won the team's Impact Award, and as a senior she was named team co-captain by Nichols.

In 2006, she received her bachelor's degree from Tech in Multidisciplinary Studies. She has held teaching positions at Ironwood, White Plains and Southern Hills golf courses in Cookeville since graduation, and has also worked at various golf clinics.

"I am honored to be given this opportunity," Stout said. "It's been a dream of mine to be a collegiate golf coach, and to be able to take on the program that coach Nichols built makes it more special.

"I understand what the current players have been through, and it's important for them to have somebody who cares, not only for them individually, but to continue the legacy established by Bobby Nichols," she said.

Stout says she learned numerous lessons during her four seasons under Nichols' guidance.

"Coach Nichols taught us the right way to do things, and he taught us the honesty and respect for the game," she said. "He taught us that golf is not just a sport, but it also teaches life lessons. He taught us that, as a member of the Tech golf team, you represent not only yourself, you also represent your coach, the rest of the team and the university. I hope that's something I can carry on."