MESA, Arizona – Fighting Illini men's golf head coach Mike Small has been named a finalist for the 2019 Dave Williams National Coach of the Year Award presented by Golf Pride Grips, as announced by the Golf Coaches Association of America on Friday, May 24. An annual award that honors the national coach of the year in Division I Men's Golf, Small was named the 2015 Dave Williams National Coach of the Year following the 2014-15 season.
Small and the Illini are currently making their 12th consecutive NCAA Championship appearance, coming off of their fifth NCAA Regional title at the NCAA Myrtle Beach Regional. Small also guided the Orange and Blue to their fifth consecutive Big Ten Championship title this season, and the 10th Big Ten Championship title in the last 11 years. Small was honored as the Big Ten Coach of the Year for the 11th time in his career this season.
Small has coached a young Illini squad to five tournament titles during the 2018-19 campaign, also leading his players to several individual top finishes. Freshman Adrien Dumont de Chassart earned individual medalist honors at the Big Ten Championships, while junior Michael Feagles became Illinois' fifth NCAA Regional individual medalist. Small has coached nine Big Ten Championship Medalists and two NCAA Individual Champions during his tenure, and has seen his players earn more than 50 Academic All-Big Ten honors.
Stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com for the latest on Illinois men's golf as the Illini continue play at the NCAA National Championship.
