Scott Thomas has announced his retirement as head men's and women's golf coach at Maryville University. He has served as the coach for both Saints teams since the 2019-20 season and has been a part of the Maryville golf programs since he joined as an assistant coach in 2015.
 
"Coaching golf at Maryville has truly been a dream realized, and it has been a privilege to follow in the footsteps of my mentor and friend, Glenn Paulus, while proudly representing Saints Athletics over the past ten years," Thomas said. "My deep affection for Maryville made this decision incredibly challenging, but I ultimately believe it is the right moment for me to step down."
 
"Everyone at Maryville University thanks Scott for his outstanding leadership as head coach of our golf programs," Director of Athletics Brittany C. Fennell said. "He has been a true mentor for our men and women on the course as well as guiding their incredible academic achievements. We hope Scott enjoys his retirement and now has more time to actually play the sport he has spent years teaching."
 
Thomas helped lead the Saints men's team to two NCAA Tournaments and one with the women's squad. He coached the men's team to the 2021 Great Lakes Valley Conference championships and was named the 2021 GLVC Coach of the Year. Thomas led the 2023 team to the NCAA Tournament final site for the first time in program history. In his final season with the Saints, he helped Max Hsu earn an individual bid to the 2025 NCAA Tournament, which due to personal circumstances, was declined.
 
For the men's team, Thomas coached four All-GLVC selections, one GLVC Freshman of the Year, five All-Midwest selections and one All-American. The Saints garnered 17 individual Academic All-American awards and won the GCAA Team Academic National Championship for highest team GPA in the country three times.
 
On the women's side, Thomas led the Saints to their first NCAA Tournament appearance with a berth into the 2025 tourney. In addition, he helped Carmen Villaverde earn an individual berth to the NCAA Division II Women's Golf East Regional Tournament in 2019, and assisted Isabel Chaidez qualify for the 2023 NCAA Tournament as an individual.  Thomas helped Villaverde earn two All-GLVC selections. The Saints women have been awarded the WGCA All-Scholar Team Award five times with 22 individual selections.
 
"I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Maryville University and the entire athletic department, particularly to former Director of Athletics Lonnie Folks for bringing me on board and current AD Brittany Fennell for her unwavering support of our programs throughout all these seasons," Thomas said. "During my tenure, I had the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from many outstanding staff and coaches, all of whom excel as leaders in their respective programs and as colleagues.
 
"I will forever treasure the bonds I've formed with our student-athletes, and I want to express my thanks to each of them," Thomas said. "It has been a privilege to lead the golf programs and witness the growth of so many young players, not just as golfers but as individuals. Coaching our Maryville student-athletes has been a true joy."