Bardgett Returning to Illinois Men’s Golf as Associate Head Coach
June 24, 2026 | Men's Golf
NEWS
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Fighting Illini head coach Mike Small announced Wednesday that Justin Bardgett is returning to the Illinois men's golf program as the Fighting Illini's associate head coach, pending approval by the UI Board of Trustees at its July meeting.
"It is very exciting to welcome Justin Bardgett back to the Fighting Illini program," Small said. "Justin left an indelible mark when he was our lead assistant coach three years ago before taking on a new challenge with his work at the PGA TOUR. His strong desire to coach and to engage with our student-athletes is going to benefit our program tremendously, and the experience that he has gained while working with the PGA TOUR will complement his coaching duties and responsibilities very, very well, ensuring that the lifeblood of our program, player development, will surely continue!"
Bardgett will begin his second stint at Illinois following three years with the PGA TOUR, first as the Director of College Relations for PGA TOUR University, where he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the PGA TOUR University Ranking and the transition of elite collegiate talent into the professional ranks. Next Bardgett served as the Director of Player Relations for PGA TOUR Pathways, which is comprised of the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR Americas, PGA TOUR University, and PGA TOUR Q-School. In that role Bardgett and his team managed communications, services, and relations with the memberships of the PGA TOUR Pathways. Bardgett was also heavily involved in the player development strategy of the PGA TOUR, focused on maximizing mobility and efficiency of rising talent and their access to the PGA TOUR.
"My family and I are thrilled to have this opportunity to return to the University of Illinois," Bardgett said. "Thank you to Coach Small and Josh Whitman for making this possible and entrusting me with the responsibilities that come with working with Illini student-athletes. We are excited to get back to Champaign and pick up where we left off in chasing championships and upholding the high standards of the men's golf program!"
Bardgett was a vital part of the Illini's success during his initial tenure under Small from 2019-20 through 2022-23. He helped Illinois cap a streak of eight consecutive Big Ten Championships, with titles in 2021, 2022, and 2023, following the abrupt cancellation of the 2019-20 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Illini competed in the NCAA Regionals all three seasons, qualifying for the NCAA Championship in 2021 and 2023, where they advanced to match play and notched a pair of top-5 national finishes as a team. The 2022-23 season culminated in the Illini earning the No. 1 spot in the final GolfStat national ranking, while Bardgett was tabbed as a finalist for the Jan Strickland Award, presented annually to the outstanding assistant coach in NCAA Division I golf. Individually, Bardgett helped guide four Illini to top-10 national finishes: Michael Feagles (4) in 2021, and Jackson Buchanan (T2), Adrien Dumont de Chassart (T7), and Tommy Kuhl (T7) in 2023.
Bardgett helped the Illini capture 16 team tournament titles and six individual wins, while assisting on the coaching front as five golfers earned seven All-America selections. With Bardgett on staff, the Illini also racked up three Big Ten Golfer of the Year honors, a Big Ten Freshman of the Year accolade, and three consecutive Les Bolstad Award winners as the B1G's stroke average leader. The Illini also captured 15 All-Big Ten laurels by eight golfers. Academically, Bardgett helped the Illini tally 26 Academic All-Big Ten accolades from 12 individuals, 10 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar nods by five golfers, and 19 GCAA All-America Scholar selections by nine student-athletes.
Bardgett initially came to Illinois following one season as an assistant coach at Army West Point, where he helped lead the Black Knights to the 2019 Patriot League Championship. With Bardgett's assistance, all five individuals placed among the top 25 at the tournament, with four finishing in the top 10. The Black Knights advanced to the NCAA Austin Regional to conclude the season, and saw junior Justin Williamson earn PING All-Region honors.
Bardgett spent seven years in the professional ranks with 28 starts across the PGA TOUR Latinoamérica and PGA TOUR Canada, while also competing in the PGA TOUR's 2011 Puerto Rico Open and the Korn Ferry Tour's 2013 Air Capital Classic.
A 2010 graduate of the University of Colorado with a degree in marketing, Bardgett was a leader among the Buffaloes men's golf program. In his senior season, Bardgett led the team with his 72.92 stroke average, which marked the ninth-best average in CU history. He qualified for the 2010 NCAA Championships as an individual for the Buffaloes, also leading the team with four top-10 finishes throughout that season.
A St. Louis native, Bardgett was also a standout in the amateur ranks. He earned medalist honors at the U.S. Amateur Qualifier at Boulder Country Club in 2009, following victories at the 2008 Missouri State Amateur and Missouri Four-Ball Championship.
Bardgett and his wife Kate have two sons, Chase and Ryder.
