Men's Golf
Matt Hoffman
- Title:
- Assoicate Head Coach
Matt Hoffman enters his eighth season with the University of Michigan men's golf program, serving as associate head coach under head coach Zach Barlow. A former Illinois teammate of Barlow, Hoffman brings a unique blend of playing experience, biomechanics expertise and instructional knowledge to Ann Arbor.
*****
Leveraging his extensive background in kinesiology and exercise science, Hoffman plays a key role in the development of Michigan's student-athletes, designing performance plans that emphasize biomechanics, movement efficiency and long-term player growth. A Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Certified Instructor, he has also completed advanced training through the High-Performance Golf Academy, helping Wolverines maximize both strength and swing dynamics.
Since arriving in Ann Arbor in 2018, Hoffman has been instrumental in the development of Michigan's student-athletes and the program's rise within the Big Ten and nationally. Working alongside Barlow, Hoffman has helped guide the Wolverines through one of the strongest stretches in recent program history. Over the last four seasons, Michigan has produced 25 top-five finishes in 47 tournaments, capturing five team championships and adding five runner-up finishes.
Michigan's championship run during Hoffman's tenure includes titles at the 2022 Desert Mountain Intercollegiate, 2023 Big Ten Match Play Championship, 2023 Island Resort Intercollegiate and back-to-back Virtues Intercollegiate crowns in 2023 and 2024. The Wolverines' 2023 Big Ten Match Play title was especially memorable, as Michigan entered the event as the No. 8 seed before defeating Iowa, Michigan State, Indiana and top-seeded Northwestern en route to the championship.
Hoffman's influence has been particularly evident in the steady improvement of Michigan's lineup. The Wolverines have established the three lowest season scoring averages in school history, highlighted by a program-record 285.75 average in 2025-26. Michigan's individual record book has also seen significant changes, as Jordan Hwang set the program's freshman scoring-average record (72.84), RJ Arone established a new sophomore standard (71.00), and Hunter Thomson rewrote the junior (70.56) and senior (70.24) scoring-average records.
Under the guidance of Barlow and Hoffman, Wolverine golfers have captured 11 individual tournament titles since 2019. Hunter Thomson became the first Michigan golfer to win an NCAA Regional championship after claiming medalist honors at the 2025 Urbana Regional, while Dean Muratore's victory at the 2025 Jim DeLapa Collegiate came with a school-record 196 (-14) 54-hole total.
Michigan golfers have earned national and conference recognition throughout Hoffman's tenure. Thomson garnered honorable mention All-America recognition from both the GCAA and Golfweek in 2025, becoming Michigan's first All-American since 2018. The Wolverines have also produced four PING All-Midwest Region honors, with Brent Ito (2020), Thomson (2024, 2025) and RJ Arone (2026) earning recognition. Thomson additionally became Michigan's first two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection since Kyle Mueller in 2017 and 2018.
Success in the classroom has matched the program's accomplishments on the course. During Hoffman's tenure, Michigan golfers have earned 45 Academic All-Big Ten honors, highlighted by a program-record 10 selections in 2022-23. The Wolverines have also garnered 13 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar awards, led by three-time recipient Pier Francesco De Col (2021-22-23).
Nationally, Michigan golfers have combined for 15 Golf Coaches Association of America All-America Scholar selections. Four Wolverines -- Anderson (2022-23-24), Hoagland (2023-24-25), Liu (2023-24-25) and Thomson (2023-24-25) -- earned the distinction three times, while Kim was a two-time honoree (2023-24) and Patrick Sullivan received the award in 2022.
*****
Before arriving in Ann Arbor, Hoffman spent two seasons (2017-19) as an assistant coach at Humber College in Toronto, helping lead one of Canada's premier collegiate programs. The Hawks captured back-to-back Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) championships and finished as runners-up at the 2019 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) National Championship.
Hoffman also served as an instructor at the TOUR Performance Golf Academy in Milton, Ontario, where he coached elite junior and professional golfers and directed junior development camps at Pipers Heath Golf Club. He is well-versed in TrackMan technology and has been mentored by several of the game's leading instructors.
Prior to coaching, Hoffman spent six years competing professionally, including three seasons (2011-13) on PGA Tour Canada. He earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2011 and also competed on several U.S. mini tours, including the Hooters, Great Lakes and Dream Chasers tours. Additionally, he made multiple appearances at WEB.com Tour and PGA Tour qualifying schools.
*****
A standout collegiate golfer at Illinois from 2005-09, Hoffman helped the Fighting Illini capture back-to-back Big Ten Championships and advance to consecutive NCAA Championship appearances. He played 113 career rounds with a 74.61 scoring average, earned medalist honors at the 2008 Fighting Illini Spring Invitational and recorded a career-low round of 65 at the Windon Memorial Classic. Hoffman earned PING All-Midwest Region honors in 2009 and was later presented the Kevin Fairfield Memorial Spirit Award in 2010.
Hoffman earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from Illinois in 2010.
In the summer of 2024, Hoffman married Priscilla (Barletta), an assistant coach with Michigan's swimming and diving program. The couple welcomed their first child, Banks, in the summer of 2025.
* In 2020, the final three spring events and Big Ten/NCAA postseason were canceled due to COVID-19
[1] Hunter Thomson was invited to the 2024 NCAA West Lafayette Regional as an individual (tied for 27th))
[2] Hunter Thomson won the 2025 NCAA Urbana Regional to advance to the NCAA Finals
*****
Leveraging his extensive background in kinesiology and exercise science, Hoffman plays a key role in the development of Michigan's student-athletes, designing performance plans that emphasize biomechanics, movement efficiency and long-term player growth. A Titleist Performance Institute (TPI) Certified Instructor, he has also completed advanced training through the High-Performance Golf Academy, helping Wolverines maximize both strength and swing dynamics.
Since arriving in Ann Arbor in 2018, Hoffman has been instrumental in the development of Michigan's student-athletes and the program's rise within the Big Ten and nationally. Working alongside Barlow, Hoffman has helped guide the Wolverines through one of the strongest stretches in recent program history. Over the last four seasons, Michigan has produced 25 top-five finishes in 47 tournaments, capturing five team championships and adding five runner-up finishes.
Michigan's championship run during Hoffman's tenure includes titles at the 2022 Desert Mountain Intercollegiate, 2023 Big Ten Match Play Championship, 2023 Island Resort Intercollegiate and back-to-back Virtues Intercollegiate crowns in 2023 and 2024. The Wolverines' 2023 Big Ten Match Play title was especially memorable, as Michigan entered the event as the No. 8 seed before defeating Iowa, Michigan State, Indiana and top-seeded Northwestern en route to the championship.
Hoffman's influence has been particularly evident in the steady improvement of Michigan's lineup. The Wolverines have established the three lowest season scoring averages in school history, highlighted by a program-record 285.75 average in 2025-26. Michigan's individual record book has also seen significant changes, as Jordan Hwang set the program's freshman scoring-average record (72.84), RJ Arone established a new sophomore standard (71.00), and Hunter Thomson rewrote the junior (70.56) and senior (70.24) scoring-average records.
Under the guidance of Barlow and Hoffman, Wolverine golfers have captured 11 individual tournament titles since 2019. Hunter Thomson became the first Michigan golfer to win an NCAA Regional championship after claiming medalist honors at the 2025 Urbana Regional, while Dean Muratore's victory at the 2025 Jim DeLapa Collegiate came with a school-record 196 (-14) 54-hole total.
Michigan golfers have earned national and conference recognition throughout Hoffman's tenure. Thomson garnered honorable mention All-America recognition from both the GCAA and Golfweek in 2025, becoming Michigan's first All-American since 2018. The Wolverines have also produced four PING All-Midwest Region honors, with Brent Ito (2020), Thomson (2024, 2025) and RJ Arone (2026) earning recognition. Thomson additionally became Michigan's first two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection since Kyle Mueller in 2017 and 2018.
Success in the classroom has matched the program's accomplishments on the course. During Hoffman's tenure, Michigan golfers have earned 45 Academic All-Big Ten honors, highlighted by a program-record 10 selections in 2022-23. The Wolverines have also garnered 13 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar awards, led by three-time recipient Pier Francesco De Col (2021-22-23).
Nationally, Michigan golfers have combined for 15 Golf Coaches Association of America All-America Scholar selections. Four Wolverines -- Anderson (2022-23-24), Hoagland (2023-24-25), Liu (2023-24-25) and Thomson (2023-24-25) -- earned the distinction three times, while Kim was a two-time honoree (2023-24) and Patrick Sullivan received the award in 2022.
*****
Before arriving in Ann Arbor, Hoffman spent two seasons (2017-19) as an assistant coach at Humber College in Toronto, helping lead one of Canada's premier collegiate programs. The Hawks captured back-to-back Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) championships and finished as runners-up at the 2019 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) National Championship.
Hoffman also served as an instructor at the TOUR Performance Golf Academy in Milton, Ontario, where he coached elite junior and professional golfers and directed junior development camps at Pipers Heath Golf Club. He is well-versed in TrackMan technology and has been mentored by several of the game's leading instructors.
Prior to coaching, Hoffman spent six years competing professionally, including three seasons (2011-13) on PGA Tour Canada. He earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2011 and also competed on several U.S. mini tours, including the Hooters, Great Lakes and Dream Chasers tours. Additionally, he made multiple appearances at WEB.com Tour and PGA Tour qualifying schools.
*****
A standout collegiate golfer at Illinois from 2005-09, Hoffman helped the Fighting Illini capture back-to-back Big Ten Championships and advance to consecutive NCAA Championship appearances. He played 113 career rounds with a 74.61 scoring average, earned medalist honors at the 2008 Fighting Illini Spring Invitational and recorded a career-low round of 65 at the Windon Memorial Classic. Hoffman earned PING All-Midwest Region honors in 2009 and was later presented the Kevin Fairfield Memorial Spirit Award in 2010.
Hoffman earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from Illinois in 2010.
In the summer of 2024, Hoffman married Priscilla (Barletta), an assistant coach with Michigan's swimming and diving program. The couple welcomed their first child, Banks, in the summer of 2025.
The Matt Hoffman File
Born: March 30, 1987
Hometown: Thornhill, Ontario
High School: St. Robert Catholic High School, 2005
College: University of Illinois, 2010
Degree: Kinesiology
Family: Priscilla (Barletta) | Son: Banks
Coaching Record
| Year | College | Position | Conference | NCAA Regional | NCAA Finals |
| 2017-18 | Humber College | Assistant Coach | 1st (OCAA) | -- | 3rd (CCAA) |
| 2018-19 | Humber College | Assistant Coach | 1st (OCAA) | -- | 2nd (CCAA) |
| 2019-20 | Michigan | Assistant Coach | canceled* | canceled* | canceled* |
| 2020-21 | Michigan | Assistant Coach | 13th | -- | -- |
| 2021-22 | Michigan | Assistant Coach | 13th | -- | -- |
| 2022-23 | Michigan | Assistant Coach | 13th | -- | -- |
| 2023-24 | Michigan | Assistant Coach | t-10th | [1] individual | -- |
| 2024-25 | Michigan | Assistant Coach | 15th | [2] individual | [2] individual |
| 2025-26 | Michigan | Associate Head Coach | 11th | -- | -- |
| 2026-27 | Michigan | Associate Head Coach | -- | -- | -- |
* In 2020, the final three spring events and Big Ten/NCAA postseason were canceled due to COVID-19
[1] Hunter Thomson was invited to the 2024 NCAA West Lafayette Regional as an individual (tied for 27th))
[2] Hunter Thomson won the 2025 NCAA Urbana Regional to advance to the NCAA Finals
Wednesday, April 29
Saturday, October 18
Friday, May 10
Tuesday, June 29
