Mike Small Head Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Mike Small Head Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Fighting Illini men's golf head coach Mike Small has been named the 2024 Golf Pride Grips Midwest Region Coach of the Year for NCAA Division I by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA). This marks the 13th time Small has received this regional coach of the year honor.
Small, who completed his 24th season with the Fighting Illini, was also a finalist for the GCAA's Dave Williams National Coach of the Year award. Under his leadership, the team achieved a fifth-place finish at the NCAA Championship and ranked No. 6 in the final NCAA Division I men's golf rankings. The team recorded a head-to-head record of 157-27-2 across 13 stroke play events.
The Illini secured six team victories during their season, highlighted by winning the NCAA Stanford Regional title and advancing to match play at the NCAA Championship as one of eight teams competing for the national championship at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa.
Their victory at Stanford marked Small's sixth regional title, placing him tied for fourth all-time in NCAA men's golf history. The team's ninth appearance in NCAA match play under Small ties them with Oklahoma State for most appearances since this format began in 2009.
Throughout the season, Small led his team to success starting with a win at the Sahalee Players Championship in September. Additional victories were achieved during spring at events such as Hal Williams Collegiate, Duck Invitational, and Fighting Illini Spring Collegiate.
Individually, four Illini players secured five tournament wins under Small's guidance. Junior Jackson Buchanan won twice at Purdue Fall Invitational and Duck Invitational; fifth-year senior Timmy Crawford triumphed at Flyer Invitational; sophomore Ryan Voois claimed victory at Fighting Illini Spring Collegiate; and freshman Max Herendeen won at NCAA Stanford Regional. Herendeen and senior Tyler Goecke both finished tied for second place in stroke play during nationals.
The other regional coaches honored include Will Green from Princeton (Northeast), Andrew DiBitetto from North Carolina (East), Nick Clinard from Auburn (Southeast), John Fields from Texas (Central), and Matt Thurmond from Arizona State (West).
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