Derrick Thompson Named Finalist For DII Coach of the Year

Central Oklahoma Head Coach Led Team Back To National Championships In Third Season

NORMAN, Okla. – University of Central Oklahoma men's golf coach Derrick Thompson has been named a finalist for the NCAA Division II Dave Williams Coach of the Year Award, presented by Golf Pride Grips.

The Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) announced five finalists Wednesday morning. Mark Hull of Colorado Christian, Gareth Lappin of Grand Valley State, Brad Robinson of Lincoln Memorial, and Bryson Worley of North Georgia join Thompson in the group.

Four of the five coaches are leading their respective programs at the NCAA Division II Men's Golf National Championships in Florida this week, with only Lincoln Memorial not competing.

Thompson led Central Oklahoma back to the national championships for the first time since 2016. The Bronchos earned five victories in 2023-24, including the Central/Midwest Regional Championship that saw the second-lowest 54-hole score (823) and tied for the lowest 18-hole score (267 final round) in school history.

With top-three finishes in all but one of their 12 tournaments, the Bronchos were led on the course by PING All-Region golfers Jordan Wilson, Nick Canales, and Bennett Baldwin, who was the regional runner-up with a 9-under 201 that tied for the second-lowest 54-hole individual score in program history.

Thompson is in his third season leading the Central Oklahoma program. He's logged seven wins in three seasons and adds four runner-up finishes and five third-place showings. UCO has finished in the top five in 23 of 36 tournaments since Thompson took charge.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Bennett Baldwin: Junior

Nick Canales: 5' 9"; Redshirt Freshman

Jordan Wilson: 5' 8"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Bennett Baldwin
: Junior

Nick Canales
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Freshman

Jordan Wilson
: 5' 8"; Junior