Mike Small Head Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Mike Small Head Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
During his 26 years as head coach of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini men's golf team, Mike Small has been recognized for his consistent leadership and achievements. In a recent anonymous survey conducted by Golfweek reporters Lance Ringler and Cameron Jourdan, college golf coaches named Small as the best coach in men's college golf.
This recognition is not new for Small. Ten years ago, a similar survey by Ringler also ranked him at the top among his peers.
According to Golfweek.com, the survey asked coaches to rank their top five choices for best men's college golf coach, with points assigned based on placement. The results listed Mike Small of Illinois first, followed by Ryan Hybl (Oklahoma), Alan Bratton (Oklahoma State), Scott Limbaugh (Vanderbilt), and Nick Clinard (Auburn) among others.
Small's record includes 18 NCAA Championship appearances and nine NCAA Match Play berths, which is the most by any head coach with one program in the country. He has led teams to seven NCAA Regional titles and coached two individual NCAA champions: Scott Langley in 2010 and Thomas Pieters in 2012. Under his guidance, Illinois has won 13 Big Ten championships, produced nine individual Big Ten medalists, had 39 All-Americans, 68 All-Big Ten selections, and 87 Academic All-Big Ten honorees.
The repeated selection of Small as the top coach by fellow coaches over a decade apart highlights his sustained impact on collegiate golf.
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