Chris Wilson Named Air Force Assistant Golf Coach
6/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
June 10, 2010
USAFA, Colo. - Chris Wilson has been named the assistant coach for the Air Force golf team, as announced today by head coach George Koury. Wilson comes to the Academy from Coastal Carolina University, where he served for two years as the associate head men's golf coach.
"We are thrilled to welcome Chris and his wife, Heather, to the Air Force golf family," said Koury. "Chris, who brings a great deal of experience and energy, will be an outstanding asset to our program. With the success that he has had, particularly in recruiting, Chris will help us take Air Force golf to the next level."
During Wilson's two-year stint at Coastal Carolina, the Chanticleers won back-to-back Big South Conference titles, extending their run to seven-straight conference championships. In 2009, he helped coach Zack Byrd, a third-team All-American and Big South Golfer of the Year. Wilson was also instrumental in the running of the Chants' program, handling many of the day-to-day operations, helping run the General Hackler Championship and coordinating recruiting.
Wilson arrived at Coastal Carolina in the fall of 2009 from the University of Louisiana-Monroe, where he spent four and a half years as the head men's and women's golf coach. Combined, his Warhawk squads had three tournament wins, 35 top-five team finishes, six individual medalists, 13 all-conference selections and six Golf Coaches Association of America and National Golf Coaches Association All-America Scholars.
While at ULM, Wilson led the men's program to its highest national rankings in 2005 and 2006, earning Southland Coach of the Year honors in 2006. He also started the women's program in August 2005 and both squads were consistently ranked among the top grade-point averages for athletic teams on the ULM campus. He also raised a majority of the funds for each of his programs, while also coordinating all aspects of each squad's practice and travel.
Prior to taking over as head coach at ULM, he worked for two years at McNeese State, starting as the head coach and eventually serving as interim head men's coach before leaving to take the job at ULM. While there, Wilson coached four-time all-conference selection and current European PGA Tour member Adrien Mork. He also worked with two other all-conference players and helped lead the Cowboys to a pair of team tournament titles.
A native of Shawnee, Okla., Wilson started his coaching career at Louisiana-Monroe as an assistant coach for a year, where he helped recruit the 17th-ranked class in the country. That group eventually went on to earn seven all-conference awards, a pair of individual tournament champions and the 2004 Southland Conference Championship.
Wilson, who earned his bachelor's degree from ULM in 2001, was a standout golfer for the Warhawks, playing two years and earning all-conference honors as a senior after winning the New Mexico State Intercollegiate and posting five top-10 finishes on the season. He was also an all-conference selection at Dodge City Community College in 1996-97.
"I am extremely excited to come to the Air Force Academy," said Wilson. "The opportunity to work with these cadets, some of the finest young men in the country, is an honor that any coach would love to have. The school pride, history and honor of the Air Force Academy is something I am thrilled to be a part of."
"I'm looking forward to working with George (Koury), as we work to take the golf team to the next level and compete for a Mountain West championship," continued Wilson. "I've known George for years--he's a great friend and colleague, and well-respected in the world of collegiate golf."
