Erik Hoops, a 2012 graduate of Loyola University Chicago and four-year letterwinner on the men's golf team, enters his 11th season as the program's head coach in 2024-25.
In the school's first season in the Atlantic 10 (A10) Conference, Hoops led his squad to a stellar result. Despite being picked only eighth in the A10's preseason poll, the Ramblers rallied to take second place at the A10 Championship. The Ramblers' season was highlighted by the consistent strong play from Timmy Crawford, with the senior setting the program record for scoring average (71.53) along with 15 rounds of even-par or better to set a new program high. Â
"I'm excited to welcome Erik Hoops back to Loyola," said Loyola Director of Athletics Steve Watson. "Erik's background as a student-athlete here, combined with the knowledge and experience he brings, makes him a perfect choice to serve as our Director of Golf and lead our golf programs moving forward as we continue to strive to be at the top of the Missouri Valley Conference."
Hoops enjoyed his finest season to date in 2020-21, taking home Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year honors after piloting the Maroon & Gold to their first MVC team title in program history in addition to the second NCAA Regionals berth in Rambler annals. Devin Johnson put together a terrific campaign, winning The Valley's individual title as he and teammate Timmy Crawford took home All-MVC honors. Â
"I am so excited to be a Rambler once again," commented Hoops. "Ever since I started coaching, I always envisioned getting an opportunity to return to the program as a coach. I cannot thank Steve Watson and the entire Loyola Athletic Staff enough for making this dream become a reality for me. I have had ideas on how to grow this program that began even as a player that I look forward to starting. I know that we can take this program to the level we need to be at to be a great MVC team year after year. I can't wait to get started with the talented individuals we already have on these teams and grow the entire Loyola Golf family I have come to love throughout my lifetime."
Hoops returns to Rogers Park after serving as the head men's golf coach at St. Bonaventure since July of 2014. During his first season with the Bonnies, Hoops guided the team to a third-place finish at the Colgate Invitational and a sixth-place finish at the Cape Fear National Intercollegiate. This past fall, he oversaw the development of Josh Stauffer, who was selected on two occasions as the Atlantic 10 Conference's (A-10) Golfer of the Week, and Brent Morgan, who was tabbed as the A-10's Rookie of the Week, as the team notched a trio of top-four finishes during the fall campaign.
Following a stint as an operations assistant at the PGA Championship in Kiawah Island, S.C., Hoops entered the coaching ranks at the University of Toledo in 2013, serving as an assistant coach under Jamie Broce. The Rockets contended for the Mid-American Conference title in both of his seasons in Northern Ohio, notching a runner-up finish at the conference meet in 2013 before taking third a year later.
A four-year letterwinner on the Loyola men's golf team, Hoops enjoyed a highly successful career during his time as a Rambler, posting a career 77.0 stroke average and recording 12 top-ten finishes. The Perrysburg, Ohio native wrapped up his first stay in Rogers Park in impressive fashion, helping lead Loyola to its first ever Horizon League Championship and NCAA Regional berth in 2012. Hoops also served as team captain during his senior season and was a member of Loyola's Student-Athlete Advisor Committee (SAAC).
Hoops graduated from Loyola's Quinlan School of Business with a degree in accounting and sport management from in 2012.
