NEWARK, DE -- The University of Delaware has announced the addition of former Marymount College head coach Patrick Aylward (at right) and local teaching professional Matthew Gordon to the Blue Hen men’s golf coaching staff.

Aylward, who served as head coach at Marymount University in Arlington, VA the previous seven years, will serve as top assistant to head coach Mike Keogh while Gordon will serve in a volunteer role. Aylward replaces Don Thompson, who retired following three seasons as an assistant with the Blue Hens.

A native of Highland Falls, NY, Aylward, 32, earned a bachelor’s degree in health and fitness management at NCAA Division III Marymount in 1996 following an outstanding four-year playing career. He was a two-year team captain and helped the team set a school record for all-time low team score in 1996. He also played one season for the MU soccer team. While at James I. O’Neill High School in Fort Montgomery, NY, he was a two-year captain and a state sectional qualifier in 1991 and 1992.

He served as a volunteer assistant coach at Marymount in 1997 and 1998 before becoming head coach at his alma mater in 1999. He left as the school’s all-time winningest coach and his golfers set six school records for lowest match score by a team and an individual during his tenure.

In addition to his role as assistant coach at Delaware, Aylward has worked full-time as a sales manager and representative for Reico Kitchen and Bath in Newark. He and his wife, Maribeth, reside in Newark with their two daughters.

Gordon, 33, will serve as a volunteer instructor for the Blue Hens, working out of Chisel Creek Golf Club in Landenberg, PA where the Blue Hens frequently practice. A native of Newark, DE and a Class A professional, Gordon attended Newark High School and the University of Delaware. A 12-year teaching professional, he currently serves as Director of Golf Operations and operates The Golf School at Chisel Creek.

He began his teaching career as assistant golf professional at Hartefeld National Golf Club in Avondale, PA in 1995-98 and served as teaching professional for The GoForIt Golf School at Hartefeld from 1998-2000 before joining the staff at Chisel Creek. His junior program at Chisel Creek is among the area’s best and he was selected as one of “Americas Top Golf Instructors” by the Consumer Research Council of America in 2004. He was elected as a member of the Professional Golfers Association of America in 2000.

Gordon and his wife, Amy, have two children.