Mike Small

Head coach Mike Small has brought national recognition to the Illinois golf program in his decade-plus as head coach. Small was honored as the 2015 Dave Williams National Coach of the Year and has coached the team to Big Ten Championship titles in eleven of the last 12 seasons and NCAA Championship top-five finishes in six of the past nine seasons.

Amateur Career
¨ Illini letter-winner, men’s golf, 1985-88
¨ Member of 1988 Big Ten Championship team
¨ 1988 Big Ten Championship Individual runner-up
¨ Named to 'All Big Ten' team

Professional Career

• Member of Illinois Golf Hall of Fame (inducted October 2013)
• Earned three top-10 finishes in 7 PGA TOUR Champions starts in 2018
• 2018 Illinois Senior PGA Professional Champion
  
• Qualified for the 2018 PGA TOUR Champions Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs
  Named the 2017 OMEGA Senior PGA Professional Player of the Year
• Five-time United States PGA Cup team member (2013, 2011, 2009, 2007, 2005)
• Three-time PGA Professional National Champion (2010, 2009, 2005)
• Two-time PGA Professional National Championship runner-up (2007, 2004)
• Two-time PGA Championship low PGA club professional (2011, 2007)
• Twelve-time Illinois PGA champion (2013, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2001)
• Made 15 of 34 PGA Tour cuts from 2003-17
• Four-time Illinois Open champion (2007, 2006, 2005, 2003)
• Participated in 13 major championships, making five cuts (2017, 2016, 2011, 2007, 2005)
• Three-time PGA of America National Professional Player of the Year (2010, 2007, 2006)
• Three-time U.S. Open participant (2007, 1998, 1994)
• Nationwide Tour member (1996-2001)
• Exempt member of PGA Tour (1998), with top finish a tie for ninth at the Bell Canadian Open
• Earned PGA Tour exemption by finishing in top 15 of earnings list on Nationwide Tour (1997)
• Won Monterey Open & Cleveland Open (1997)

Coaching Career

• NCAA Championship appearance 12 straight years
• Big 10 Individual Champions last 9 years (2018- Nick Hardy, 2019- Adrien Dumont de Chassart)
• Coached NCAA champions Scott Langley (2010) and Thomas Pieters (2012).
• Coached Big Ten individual champions for seven-straight years - Luke Guthrie (2011-12), Thomas Pieters (2013), Charlie Danielson (2014), Nick Hardy (2015), Thomas Detry (2016) and Dylan Meyer (2017)
• Coached 12 All-Americans to 23 total laurels: (2018 First-Team Nick Hardy, 2018 Second-Team Dylan Meyer and 2019 Honorable Mention Michael Feagles), Dylan Meyer (2017 first team; 2016 honorable mention), Nick Hardy (2017 second team), Charlie Danielson (2016 first team; 2015 second team; 2014 honorable mention; 2013 honorable mention), Thomas Detry (2014 honorable mention; 2013 honorable mention), Brian Campbell (2015 second team, 2014 second team) Thomas Pieters (2013, honorable mention; 2012, first team), Luke Guthrie (2012, second team; 2011, first team), Scott Langley (2011, honorable mention; 2010, first team; 2009, second team), Chris DeForest (2011, honorable mention), Patrick Nagle (2003, third team) and James Lepp (2003, second team; 2002, honorable mention).
• 11-time Big Ten Coach of the Year (2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2002)
• Eight-time NCAA Regional Coach of the Year (2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2003)
• His teams have won 42 All-Big Ten and 46 Academic All-Big Ten honors.