The University didn’t waste any time trying to put a bad situation behind it.

Kelley Hester, a standout golfer for Georgia in the 1990s and head coach at Arkansas, was named Georgia’s head women’s golf coach Thursday. Hester replaces Todd McCorkle, who resigned his position in early May following allegations of sexual harrassment by his players.

“It’s hard for me to put into words how much this opportunity
means to me,” Hester said in a release sent by the University. “The University of Georgia has given me so much, and I’m excited about the opportunity to come home and give back. Not many people have the chance to return to their alma mater and lead such a storied program. In my mind, there’s nothing better than being a Bulldog.”

Hester was a three-time All-SEC selection for the Bulldogs
(1994, ’95 and ’96) as the former Kelley Richardson. In five seasons at Arkansas, Hester led the Lady Razorbacks to their best team and individual finishes in school history. Arkansas posted its first top-10 effort at the 2006 NCAA Championships. She also served as president of the National Golf
Coaches Association in 2006-07

“We’re extremely happy to have Kelley returning to Athens,” Georgia Director of Athletics Damon Evans said. “She has an impressive record as a coach and is widely respected as a leader in collegiate women’s golf. Equally important, Kelley has a unique grasp of what makes the University of Georgia so special with her experiences both as a student-athlete and coach.”

Hester played professionally on the Futures Tour for two years
(1996-97) and worked as an assistant pro at Idle Hour Club in Macon before entering the collegiate coaching ranks.

McCorkle became head coach in 2000, and led the Bulldogs to their first NCAA Championship in 2001. Georgia also won the SEC title in 2001 and 2007, and he was named SEC Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2007.

McCorkle cited personal reasons for leaving, and will remain on the Athletic Association staff in another capacity.

UGA News Service contributed to this story