It came down to consistency, something the Augusta State women's golf program has not enjoyed in its existence.

In seven years, the Lady Jaguars have had three head coaches and one interim. In that same span, Augusta State has made only one postseason appearance.

So before the school hired Kevin McPherson as its latest coach, athletic director Clint Bryant made a request.

"I told him I wanted him to make a commitment to be at Augusta State and to grow the program," Bryant said. "I sincerely feel he'll do that."

The school officially announced the hiring of the 28-year-old McPherson on Thursday at the ASU golf house. Director of golf and men's head coach Josh Gregory said he received more than 50 applications for the job vacated by Laura Coble in November.

McPherson, who spent the past two seasons as the men's and women's assistant golf coach at the University of Central Florida, is the first male to lead the program. Gregory said when he met with the returning Lady Jaguars they specifically wanted a male coach.

Gregory added with the hiring of McPherson, the golf team will be more structured and disciplined.

"It'll be different, but it's a necessary change," Gregory said. "The girls were very pleased."

McPherson grew up in Conway, S.C., minutes away from Myrtle Beach, which is dubbed the "Golf Capital of the World." After working as an assistant pro, he decided to play college golf. Upon his graduation from Belmont Abbey in 2006, McPherson moved to Orlando, Fla., where he worked for Central Florida.

One of his main jobs there was recruiting, something the Augusta State women have lacked the past two years. Last season, the Lady Jaguars entered the fall with only six players. Currently, there are just five players on the roster.

"This program is missing somebody to get out and recruit," Gregory said. "We've, quite honestly, fallen behind in that area."

Ironically, it was three Augusta State players who recruited McPherson at a spring tournament in Louisiana.

Once he arrived on campus for his first visit, he was hooked.

"Once I got here," McPherson said, "I fell in love with the place."

McPherson, whose sister, Kristy, is ranked No. 48 on the LPGA Tour money list, said Augusta State has the resources for a successful women's golf team on a yearly basis. The key, of course, is to bring in quality players.

With Georgia, Georgia State and South Carolina as the major schools with women's golf programs in the two-state area, McPherson said he believes he can bring in some top-notch players.

"If you work your butt off and recruit well, you can snag a player from (the University of) Georgia," he said. "My job is to get them in for a recruiting visit."