Former Alabama golfer Gator Todd has been hired as head coach at Kentucky, the school announced this weekend.

Todd, the son of former Alabama and NFL quarterback Richard, was an All-SEC golfer for the Crimson Tide in the mid-2000s. He has spent the last six seasons as associate head coach at Vanderbilt, which is currently ranked No. 1 in the country heading into the NCAA Regionals.

“We’re certainly excited to have Gator, (wife) Mary Katherine and (daughter) Sylvie join our UK family,” Kentucky athletics director Mitch Barnhart said. “Gator has been impressive in many ways through the evaluation process. He has a championship pedigree as a player at Alabama and experience as a professional golfer.

“He’s had incredible success working with (Vanderbilt coach Scott) Limbaugh, including a season still in progress, and has been relentless on the recruiting trail. His combination of outstanding playing and coaching career, along with his intense desire to make his home here and put UK in the national golf conversation, are a great recipe for the foundation and future of Kentucky golf.”

Todd, who grew up in Florence and graduated from Coffee High School, played at Alabama from 2004-08. He was an All-SEC selection as a senior, when the Crimson Tide won the SEC championship.

Todd played professional golf from 2010-15, though he never reached the PGA Tour full-time. He spent one season as an assistant at Marquette before joining the staff at Vanderbilt, where he coached four All-Americans and has been part of two SEC championship teams.

“First, I’d like to thank Mitch Barnhart for believing in me and my vision for Kentucky men’s golf,” Todd said. “This is a dream scenario for my family and me, we could not be more excited to plant our roots in Lexington.

“I believe in this state and I believe in Kentucky golf. There is so much talent here and I believe we can build something special. I can’t wait to get to work. Go Cats!”