University of La Verne alumnus Christopher Davis has been appointed as interim head coach of the Leopard golf program, announced Director of Athletics Julie Kline.

Davis replaces Eric Riehle, who led La Verne to three consecutive Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships before accepting the head coaching position at UC Riverside in June. 

An All-American during his playing days at La Verne, Davis served as an assistant coach with the Leopards during the 2012 campaign, helping lead the Leopards to a sixth consecutive SCIAC crown and an automatic berth into the NCAA Championships.

"We are thrilled that Coach Davis has accepted the position as our interim head golf coach," Kline said.  "Chris is an alum of the University of La Verne and understands the tradition of success our program has had over the years both as a student-athlete and as an assistant coach. We fully expect a seamless transition that will ensure continued success for our program and our student-athletes as we head into the 2012-13 academic year."

A 2008 La Verne graduate, Davis earned All-America honors for the Leopards during his junior and senior seasons in 2007 and 2008.  In addition, he was a four-time First Team All-SCIAC selection (2005-08) and a member of two SCIAC Championship squads in 2007 and 2008.

"I am both excited and honored for the opportunity to continue my affiliation with La Verne's historic golf program," Davis said. "Having played four years under Rex Huigens and coached under Eric Riehle, I have had the privilege of working with two incredible coaches, from both a player and coaching standpoint." 

"The tradition and recent success of Leopard golf speaks for itself," he said.  "But the SCIAC has proven year in and year out to be the strongest conference in the nation. We have a lot of work ahead of us and I look forward to the challenge."