May 22, 2006

Champaign, Ill. - University of Illinois head men's golf coach Mike Small announced today that David Pezzino has been hired as assistant coach for the men's golf program. Pezzino comes to Illinois after previously serving as head women's golf coach at Florida International University in Miami. Pezzino will begin his duties at Illinois on June 1.

"I am excited to have David join us in our quest for a national championship," Small said. "He has all the qualities we were looking for in that he has a tremendous amount of experience as a teacher, and having been a division one head coach, he is experienced and knowledgeable regarding every facet of coaching and recruiting. I expect David to fit in perfectly with us and know that he will be a great addition to our program."

Pezzino spent the past seven years as head coach at Florida International after taking charge of the women's golf program in August, 1999. He led FIU to six tournament victories and 14 individual titles during his tenure and coached nine All-Sun Belt Conference selections, including 2001 NGCA All-American Michelle Simpson. During that time, Pezzino also served as a master instructor at the Jim McLean Golf School at Doral.

A native of New Jersey, Pezzino played collegiate golf at St. Thomas University in Miami, where he became a student-head coach during his senior year of 1996-97 while also serving as captain. Upon graduating, he continued to coach at St. Thomas until taking the position at Florida International. He led St. Thomas to consecutive NAIA National Championship appearances in 1998 and '99, and was named Florida Sun Conference Coach of the Year in '98.

Pezzino has worked with three of Golf Digest's Top 100 Instructors, and five of his former student-athletes are now golf professionals playing on various tours. His golf background also includes conducting junior golf clinics for Miami-Dade County and working for the South Florida PGA Section as a Rules Official.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to join Coach Small on his staff," Pezzino said. "His golf program is among the elite in the country, and I look forward to helping him continue the high level of excellence he has brought to the Illini men's golf team. Furthermore, I am excited to be joining the University of Illinois and the Illini family, and my wife and I are eager to raise our family in Champaign."

Pezzino earned a bachelor's degree in sports administration from St. Thomas in 1997. He and his wife, Kristy, are the parents of 2-year-old twins, Joseph and Matthew.