Associate Head Coach: James Vargas

James Vargas, arrived at Texas Tech in June of 2023 and will serve as the Red Raiders associate head coach for men's golf.

A native of Miami, Vargas comes to Texas Tech after a strong two season stint at the University of Arizona, where he helped guide the Wildcats to the NCAA Bryan Regional title and the program's first trip to the NCAA Championships since 2011. 

During his two seasons with the Wildcats, Vargas helped mentor multiple all-conference selections including Christian Banke who named to the All-Pac-12 First Team in 2021-22 and Chase Sienkiewicz who named a Second Team All-Pac-12 selection in both of his seasons.

In 2022-23, Arizona won its home tournament (the Arizona NIT) for the first time since 2003, as freshman Zach Pollo earned co-medalist honors. Pollo was the first UofA freshman to win a tournament since 2004.  

In both of Vargas’ seasons with the Wildcats advanced to a regional, highlighted by the aforementioned trip to the NCAA Championships in 2021-22.

After a professional career that included appearances on the Web.Com Tour (now Korn Ferry Tour) and the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica, Vargas made the transition to college coaching, where he coached with former Florida assistant Brad Stracke at North Texas. 

Throughout his two seasons with the Mean Green, Vargas helped mentor 2021 C-USA Freshman of the Year and 2021 Individual Medalist Vicente Marzilio.  The Mean Green finished second at the 2021 C-USA Championships and also featured All-C-USA Third Team Selection Lenny Bergsson and All-Freshman Team selection Nikhil Gopal. 

He played his college golf at the University of Florida, graduating in 2006 as a three-time All-America selection after leading the Gators to a runner-up finish at the 2006 NCAA Championships.   The Floridian was also named an All-SEC Second Team selection and was tabbed a PING All-Southeast Region Team selection. Florida finished inside the top-two of the SEC In three of his four seasons, including a 2003 Southeastern Conference title.

Vargas and his wife Courtney have two daughters Cassidy and Evelyn.