Golfweek Article

Champaign, Ill. - Illini Men's Golf head coach, Mike Small, was voted the top of his class by his peers on Wednesday (July 8), according to a poll released by Golfweek. The magazine polled head coaches of the top 150-ranked golf programs in the nation based on the final 2014-15 Golfweek/Sagarin rankings. Small received almost half of the first place votes and appeared on 80-percent of the ballots received. 

Golfweek's Lance Ringler had this to say about Small's selection as the No. 1 head golf coach in the country: 

"Illinois has been a favorite at times to win it all and spent many weeks at No. 1 this season, which says everything you need to know about Small. However, Small's biggest strength as a coach might be his mental approach, and because of that, he's able to get a lot out of his players."

Small's Illini are having a successful summer so far as sophomore Nick Hardy and recent graduate Brian Campbell made the cut at the U.S. Open. Campbell finished with Lo-Am honors in the tournament and will join four other Illini alum in the John Deere Classic this week. Hardy is set to play in the Western Amateur later this summer as well. Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com for all the updates as Illinos Men's Golf team members compete throughout the summer.

Golfweek's Coaches Poll: Top Collegiate Coaches

1. Mike Small, Illinois

2. Jay Seawell, Alabama

3. Bruce Heppler, Georgia Tech

4. Mike McGraw, Baylor

5. Matt Thurmond, Washington

6. Chris Haack, Georgia

7. John Fields, Texas

8. Herb Page, Kent State

9. J.T. Higgins, Texas A&M

10. Casey Martin, Oregon

11. Tim Mickelson, Arizona State

12. Conrad Ray, Stanford

13. Chuck Winstead, LSU

14. Brad McMakin, Arkansas

15. Bill McDonald, South Carolina

16. Trey Jones, Florida State

17. Derek Freeman, UCLA

T-18. Nick Clinard, Auburn

T-18. Ryan Hybl, Oklahoma

T-18. Roy Edwards, Colorado

T-18. Dwayne Knight, UNLV