Morell Named LPGA Central Section Coach of the Year

Nebraska women's golf assistant coach Halley Morell was named the 2026 LPGA Central Section Coach of the Year on Wednesday, Oct. 28.

Morell, who is in her first season as an assistant coach with the Huskers, earned the Central Section Coach-of-the-Year award for her accomplishments as the head coach at Bradley during the 2025-26 season.

She led Bradley to a second-place Missouri Valley Conference finish, which was the best for the school in 20 years. Bradley finished just one shot away from a conference title, as Murray State claimed the crown and the automatic bid into NCAA Regionals. 

All five Bradley golfers finished in the top 20 individually at the Valley Championships, including top-five finisher Alyssa Mixon who earned a spot on the all-tournament team. Morell also guided a trio of All-MVC golfers in Allison Pacocha, Jillian Cosler and Caroline McConnell.  

Early in the spring season, Morell led Bradley to a tournament title at the 19-team Rio Verde Invitational.

Morell's 2026 section award marks the third of her career. She was also the LPGA Midwest Section Coach of the Year at Bradley in 2019 and 2021.

2026 LPGA Professionals Section-of-the-Year Awards
Central Section
Teacher – Tina Tombs
Professional – Maulana Dotch
Coach – Halley Morell
Junior Leader – Cori Matheson

Midwest Section
Teacher – Susan Crowley
Professional - Maria Palozola
Junior Leader - Janean Murphy

Northeast Section
Teacher – Melissa Dziabo
Professional – Kelley Brooke
Coach - Kathryn Schanuel
Junior Leader – Pam Boccaccio

Southeast Section
Teacher – Krista Dunton
Professional – Marion Walker
Coach – Sara Detlefsen
Junior Leader – Kellie Fry

Western Section
Teacher – Jessica Quayle
Professional – Kimberly Coleman
Coach – Katy Barrett
Junior Leader – Meredith Lobeck

International Section
Teacher – Eunae Cho
Professional – Miho Kuramoto
Junior Leader – Fumi Doi Miyaoka