ATLANTA – Georgia State Director of Athletics Charlie Cobb and Director of Golf Joe Inman announced the hiring of Chad Wilson as the new men’s golf head coach on Tuesday following a nationwide search. Wilson served as the interim head coach at Coastal Carolina last year and has deep ties to Atlanta junior golf.
Wilson spent the last two years at Coastal Carolina, the first as an assistant coach, before being elevated to interim head coach in August of 2016.
He came to Coastal after two seasons at his alma mater, Kennesaw State, where he helped the Owls reach the 2014 NCAA Championship while just missing a return trip in 2015 as KSU placed sixth at the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional.
“We are excited to welcome Chad to the Georgia State family,” Cobb said. “We have a great history with our men’s golf team and I know that Chad will continue to build on that in the future.”
“I have been able to watch Chad grow from the time he played for Kennesaw State to entering the coaching circuit and he has all of the characteristics we were looking for when this search began,” Inman said. “I look forward to being able to work with him as we return this program to Top 25 status.”
While interim head coach at Coastal Carolina last season, he guided Luis Ruiz to All-Sun Belt Second Team status. The Chanticleers just missed out on match play in their first year in the Sun Belt Conference which was eventually won by Georgia State.
“I am thrilled to have a chance to lead the Georgia State men’s golf team,” Wilson said. “Seeing the vision that GSU Athletics has for golf and all student-athletes is something that has me very excited for this school and the community. I would like to thank Charlie Cobb and Rick Beasley for the opportunity they have given me and to coach Inman for everything he has given to this program to make it what it is today.
“I have enjoyed my time at Coastal Carolina and will certainly miss working with the players and staff there.”
In Wilson’s first season on Kennesaw State’s staff, the Owls finished second at the NCAA Auburn Regional to earn the program’s second berth to the NCAA Championship and first since Wilson’s senior season with the Owls. In 2014-15, Kennesaw State took a No. 24 national ranking into the NCAA postseason and missed qualifying for the NCAA Championship by one spot.
Wilson, a three-time Atlantic Sun Conference All-Academic Team selection from 2008-2011, began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Lee University. During Wilson’s time at Lee, the Flames won seven events, won back-to-back South Atlantic Coast Conference (SACC) championships and placed sixth at the NAIA National Championships. Additionally, the program had six individual champions, achieved the highest national ranking (sixth) in school history, produced a first team All-American, six All-American Scholars and twice received the National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) All-Scholar Team GPA Award.
While a student-athlete at Kennesaw State, Wilson, who served as a co-captain, played a vital role in helping the Owls gain national prominence. Not only did the 2011 team earn its first NCAA Division I Regional berth, but that squad tied for third at the regional to advance to the NCAA Championship.
Wilson and Kennesaw State additionally made program history in 2011 when they captured the Atlantic Sun Conference championship for the first time. He also was active in the community during his collegiate career, giving time to the Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Club of Marietta and the Golden Soldiers Foundation.
Wilson earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Kennesaw State in 2011.
Coming off a fourth-straight NCAA Regional appearance, Georgia State will open the 2017-18 season in early September. The Panthers have qualified for postseason play 14 times since 1999, making the NCAA Championship five times during that stretch.