Mike Small - University Of Illinois Golf Head Coach On Determination, Optimism, & Sustained Excellence

#197: Mike Small is the University of Illinois head men's golf coach and is currently entering his 25th season.

The GCAA Hall of Fame & 2015 GCAA Dave Williams National Coach of the Year, has brought national recognition to Illinois golf in his 25 years at the helm of the program, as he has guided the Illini to 13 of the last 15 Big Ten Championship titles, including a conference-record run of eight straight from 2015 through 2023 to established a new standard for sustained excellence in the league.

Under Small’s direction, the Illini program has seen consistent success as his teams have not only continued to achieve greatness at the conference level, but on the national level as well. Small has led Illinois to top-five NCAA finishes in nine of the last 13 postseasons, including a runner-up finish in 2013. Illinois has advanced past NCAA Regionals to the NCAA Championship 17 times under Small’s guidance, including a run of 13 straight from 2008 to 2021, a streak that ranked second nationally during time. The Orange and Blue have won six NCAA Regional titles, including four consecutive NCAA Regional Championships from 2013-2016, becoming one of just two schools in NCAA history to do so. 

Since the start of the 2014-15 season, Small’s Illini have been a consistent force among the top 25 in the Golfweek/Bushnell Coaches’ Poll, and own the longest streak ranked in the top spot. Small was again recognized for his coaching success in 2016 as he was inducted into the Golf Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame.

Small has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year a conference-record 13 times in his career (2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2002) and has also been named Midwest Regional Coach of the Year on 13 occasions (2024, 2023, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2003). Under his direction, 19 Illini have won 37 All-America honors and 65 All-Big Ten accolades garnered by 28 student-athletes. He also has the distinction of playing on a Big Ten championship team and coaching 13 more.

Small has continued his professional career while coaching, most recently playing on the PGA TOUR Champions. Since 2000, he is a three-time winner of the PGA Professional National Championship, a three-time PGA Professional National Player of the Year, a 14-time IPGA Champion, four-time Illinois Open Champion and he has participated in 13 major championships. Small has made the cut in 15 of 34 PGA TOUR events since he began coaching at Illinois, and 18 of 19 PGA TOUR Champions events, earning three top 10 finishes and playing in three U.S. Senior Opens. He was also named the 2017 OMEGA Senior PGA Professional Player of the Year.

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