Bradley University Athletics

Jeff Roche enters his 22nd season as head coach of the Bradley Men's Golf program in 2026-27 and his 29th year overall with Bradley Athletics. A veteran Division I coach and high-performance leader, Roche has built his career around developing student-athletes, building strong team cultures and creating environments where individuals can perform at their best under pressure.

Since taking over the program in 2005, Roche has guided Bradley through one of the most successful stretches in program history. The Braves have captured 12 team titles since 2013, highlighted by the program's first Missouri Valley Conference Championship in 2018. That championship season also included Bradley's first NCAA postseason appearance since 1955 and earned Roche Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year honors.

Under Roche's leadership, Bradley has produced 14 All-Missouri Valley Conference performers, 17 First-Team MVC Scholar-Athletes, five Academic All-District honorees and three Academic All-Americans. The program has consistently combined competitive improvement with academic excellence, establishing itself as one of the MVC's strongest programs both on the course and in the classroom.

The 2017-18 season stands as the most successful in Bradley Men's Golf history. The Braves swept the team and individual titles at the MVC Championship, winning the program's first conference championship by 15 strokes. Bradley also advanced to NCAA Regional competition and had three players earn All-MVC honors for the first time in program history.

Roche's teams have also rewritten the Bradley record book. During his tenure, the Braves have set numerous program scoring records, produced some of the lowest individual scoring averages in school history and developed multiple championship-winning and all-conference players.

Known for his emphasis on culture and player development, Roche has built his coaching philosophy around a simple progression: Build the person. Build the culture. Build the performance. His approach focuses on helping student-athletes develop as competitors, leaders and people while creating systems that promote preparation, accountability, emotional control and performance under pressure.

Before becoming head coach, Roche served as a volunteer assistant with the Bradley men's and women's golf programs beginning in 1998. During that time, the Bradley women won three MVC championships and made two NCAA Regional appearances.  He also has extensive experience in the golf industry, having served as a PGA Professional, Director of Golf and golf instructor. Roche was named the 2015 PGA Central Illinois Chapter Teacher of the Year.

He and his wife, Jenny, reside in Morton, IL and have three adult children: Payton, Derek and Collin and two grandchildren.