NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt women’s golf has hired Ryan Ashburn Cody as the Commodores’ assistant coach heading into the 2026-27 campaign.
Ashburn Cody joins the black and gold after serving as the head coach at Charlotte from 2021-25. She led the Niners to a program-record 99-45-4 mark in her final season, culminating in a second-place finish at the American Athletic Conference Championship.
“We are fortunate to have Ryan joining our staff and I can’t wait to see the immediate impact she will have on our program but more importantly on our young ladies,” said Vanderbilt head coach Greg Allen.” It’s not often a head coach can hire an assistant that’s already been a head coach at two different universities.
“She’s also worked as an assistant for two legends, so there’s not much she hasn’t seen in coaching. Ryan has elevated Vanderbilt women’s golf today and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish on and off the golf course with her.”
While at Charlotte, Ashburn Cody guided Pinky Chaisilprungruang to AAC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors as well as an individual spot in the 2025 NCAA Regionals. Prior to Charlotte, Ashburn Cody led the UAB women’s golf program for three seasons where she guided the Blazers to a pair of tournament titles in 2019-20. The victories marked the first for the Blazers since 2007.
“I am incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to join Vanderbilt women's golf,” Ashburn Cody said. “After stepping away from coaching, I have had the privilege of serving in the National Commodore Club over the past year. I want to thank Mark Carter and the entire NCC staff for an experience that has only deepened my appreciation for this university, its people and its commitment to excellence. The gratitude I have for this past year has made the opportunity to return to coaching at Vanderbilt even more meaningful.
“I want to especially thank Coach Greg Allen and Coach Emilie Meason. I am excited to pour into our student-athletes and help them grow both on and off the course. It is a privilege to represent this university, and I can't wait to get to work to contribute to the championship culture that defines Vanderbilt golf.”
Ashburn Cody began her coaching career as an assistant at Campbell in the 2014-15 season. She helped the Camels to the NCAA Championship field before moving on to coach at Baylor as an assistant. With the Bears, Ashburn Cody helped the team reach back-to-back NCAA Championships, including a quarterfinals appearance in 2017.
Ashburn Cody played collegiately at Stetson where she earned her undergraduate degree in sports management and marketing in 2014.