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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Shawn Rodehorst

Shawn Rodehorst

Alma Mater:  Concordia (Neb.) U. 
Graduating Year: 2015
Experience: 8th Year

Coaching Career
2017-Present: Head Coach
2015-17: Graduate Assistant Coach, Concordia


Shawn Rodehorst, a Kearney native, was hired as head coach of Loper women's golf in August 2017. 

“He had a great experience at Concordia and brings a tremendous personality to a program that is ready to build off its successful past. I’m especially pleased that he will be the first full-time head women’s golf coach in school history. We consolidated our resources and combined this position with an important accounting role so that Shawn could be on campus regularly and have more availability to our golfers,” said then-UNK Athletic Director Dr. Paul Plinske. 

Under his direction, UNK has become one of the premier programs in both the MIAA and Central Region. In 2023, the Lopers qualified for the NCAA Championships for the first time in school history after winning the MIAA title in 2022. The record books continue to be rewritten on an annual basis (season and career). Rodehorst also serves as the Student Athlete Success Advisor, working with freshmen and transfers. 

In his first year at the helm, UNK reached the NCAA Central Super Regional for a second consecutive year.  The Lopers had four top five finishes during the regular season and placed seventh at the MIAA Championships. Kearney was regionally-ranked and set numerous team and individual records. Finally, senior Samantha Crawford left with a slew of season and career records while being tabbed second-team All-MIAA.

In 2018-19 the Lopers again made NCAA Regionals and set a slew of team and individual records. Senior Danielle Dickerson and sophomore Nia Station became the third and fourth Lopers, respectively, to earn All-MIAA honors. UNK was runner up in two tournaments, third in another and regionally-ranked all season. Lastly, senior Maaika Mestl earned Academic All-American honors from two different outlets thanks to graduating with a 4.00 grade point average. Champs

The 2019-20 season was cut short due to the pandemic. UNK was runner up in its only spring event and placed third in two fall tournaments. In good shape to make another regional appearance, the Lopers continued to rewrite the record book. 

Another shortened season followed in 2020-21 as there was no fall tournament play. UNK won the Wayne State Classic and finished sixth at the MIAA's with Paige Lucero and Allison Comber being tabbed as WGCA All-American Scholars. Finally, Lacie Fox then picked up the WGCA Kim Moore Spirit Award for Division II. 

The 2021-22 season was one of the best squads in UNK history. The Lopers won the MIAA Tournament, placing first out of 11 teams with a 934. It marked the team's third win of the spring and seventh top two finish of the year. A slew of individual and team records were broken with UNK being nationally-ranked for the first time in many seasons. Lastly, the program reached NCAA Regionals again with two being named All-MIAA. 

The momentum continued in 2022-23 as UNK reached the NCAA Championships after a third place showing at regionals (school-record 886 for 54-holes). The Lopers finished 13th at nationals and capped a year in which it placed in the top three in nine different tournaments. Last year, junior Juliana Botero Molina became the fourth Loper to individually qualify for the regional tourney. She also earned her third straight All-MIAA honor and was the MIAA tourney medalist. 

Prior to UNK, he served as a graduate assistant coach for the Bulldog men’s and women’s golf teams for two seasons. During that time, Rodehorst was involved in all aspects of the programs.

As a player, Rodehorst starred on the Concordia men’s golf team from 2011-15, setting new school records for stroke average in a season (75.2) and career (77.7). He was named All-GPAC (Great Plains Athletic Conf.) three times and helped CU improve its standing at the GPAC Championships each spring. Finally, Rodehorst was voted a team captain three times by his teammates. 

Holding a bachelor's degree in Finance and a Master’s in Business Administration from Concordia, Rodehorst excelled in the classroom. He was tabbed as the “Outstanding Graduate in Business” at the time of his undergraduate graduation and was one of 17 NAIA men’s golfers from around the country to be named a 2015 Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-American Scholar.

Rodehorst has worked as a Season Assistant at Kearney Country Club for four years, was an Operations Intern at Crete Carrier and also was a Sales Representative for Snap! Fundraising.

At KCHS, Rodehorst was a four-time Class C state qualifier, helping the Stars finish fourth as a team twice.