Janice Olivencia in her continued pursuit begins her fifth season as the Canes Head Golf Coach for the 2026-27 season.
Olivencia has quickly steered the Hurricanes into a nationally prominent program guided by her reputable success on being one of the most dynamic and globally respected coaches in the sport.
Under Olivencia’s leadership, Miami has captured five team titles, produced four individual tournament champions, made consecutive NCAA Regional Championship appearances (2024, 2025) — all while earning four WGCA Academic All-American honors and two All-ACC selections.
In just her second season, she guided Miami to a regional berth in the 2024 NCAA Championship, while standout Sara Byrne earned WGCA Second Team All-American honors and became the first Hurricane ever to win back-to-back ACC Golfer of the Month awards.
Before arriving in Coral Gables, Olivencia spent over a decade building championship program at Florida and USF. Olivencia spent 10 seasons building Florida into a national contender as an assistant coach (2012–17) and later as the associate head coach (2017–22). She helped guide the Gators to 27 team victories, 23 individual titles, 10 NCAA Regional appearances, six NCAA National Championship berths, and the 2017 SEC Championship. Her players secured eight WGCA All-America honors, 24 All-SEC selections, and 60 SEC Academic All-Conference recognitions, while the program earned a 2019 NCAA National Championship Individual Runner-Up finish.
Olivencia began her coaching career at the University of South Florida (2011–12), where her immediate impact produced five team wins, three individual titles, and the program’s first and only Big East Conference Championship. Her players earned Big East Player of the Year honors, multiple all-conference nominations, and national academic recognition.
Her influence extends beyond the collegiate ranks. Olivencia has mentored players now competing across the LPGA, Epson Tour, and Ladies European Tour, and guided international competitors representing their nations in the Olympic Games, Curtis Cup, Pan American Games, World Amateur Team Championships, and Arnold Palmer Cup — where she served as Assistant Coach for the 2024 International Team.
Before coaching, Olivencia’s playing career redefined what was possible for Puerto Rican golf. A two-time NCAA All-American and the 2002 Big 12 Player of the Year at the University of Texas, she helped the Longhorns to four straight NCAA Championship appearances and captured the 2002 Women’s Western Amateur Championship. She became the first Puerto Rican woman to qualify for both the Ladies European Tour and the U.S. Women’s Open, competing professionally on the LPGA, Symetra, and Ladies European Tours from 2005 to 2011.
A native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, Olivencia earned her bachelor’s degree in communication studies from the University of Texas in 2004. Today, she stands as one of the most accomplished Hispanic coaches in collegiate golf — a fierce competitor whose standard of excellence continues to elevate the University of Miami’s golf program and their pursuit for continued national prominence.
Miami | Head Coach | 2022-Present
- Five Team Titles
- Four Individual Titles
- 2023 Individual NCAA Regional Championship Appearance – Sara Byrne
- 2023 Individual NCAA National Championship Appearance – Sara Byrne
- Two (2024 & 2025) NCAA Regional Championship Appearances
- Four WGCA Academic All-American Scholars
- 2024 WGCA All American – Sara Byrne
- Two ACC All Conference Honors
Florida | Assistant Coach 2012-2017 | Associate Head Coach 2017-2022
- Ten NCAA Regional Championship Appearances
- Six NCAA National Championship Team Appearances
- Two NCAA National Championship Individual Appearances
- Eight WGCA All American Nominations
- Sixteen WGCA Academic All Americans
- 2017 SEC Champions
- 2016 Individual SEC Champion
- 2019 National Champion Individual Runner Up
- Twenty-Four All SEC Conference Honors
- Sixteen WGCA Academic All Americans
- Sixty SEC Academic All-Conference Honors
- 27 Team Titles
- 23 Individual Titles
USF | Assistant Coach | 2011-2012
- Three Individual Wins
- Five Team Wins (most in any regular season to date)
- 2012 Big East Player of the Year
- 2012 Big East Conference Champions (only one in golf program)
- Three Players named Big East All Conference
- Two WGCA Academic All Americans
Espíritu Santo WATC (World Amateur Team Championships) – 11 Participants
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Finland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Philippines
- Puerto Rico
- Slovenia
- Spain (2 Players)
- Turkey
LPGA/Epson Tour – Four Players | LET/LET Access – Four Players
Curtis Cup
2021 & 2022 – Annabell Fuller (GB&I)
2024 – Sara Byrne (GB&I)
Panamerican Games – Participant
2015 – Maria Torres | Puerto Rico
Olympics
2021 – Maria Torres | Puerto Rico
Arnold Palmer Participants & Coaching
Maisie Filler & Addie Baggarly – USA Team
Sara Byrne – International Team
2024 Arnold Palmer Assistant Coach – International Team
2026 Arnold Palmer Head Coach – International Team
Personal Achievements:
LPGA & Symetra Tour / 2008 – 2011
Ladies European Tour / 2005 – 2008
Professional Golfer
University of Texas Golf Team / 2000 – 2004
Puerto Rico National Team / 1998 – 2004
Team Member
Playing Career Accomplishments
- Four Year Letter Winner/ Student Athlete / University of Texas
- Espíritu Santo WATC Participant (Puerto Rico) 2000 & 2004
- Helped Texas Advance to four straight NCAA Championships
- Two-Time NCAA All American Selection
- Three-Time Big 12 Conference Team Honoree
- 2002 Big 12 Player of the Year
- 2002 Women’s Western Amateur Champion
- First Woman from Puerto Rico to play in the United States Women’s Open – Major Championship
- Three-Time Caribbean Amateur Individual Champion