{"id":492968,"date":"2026-02-20T18:39:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T18:39:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/492968\/"},"modified":"2026-02-20T18:39:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T18:39:10","slug":"georgia-mens-golf-coach-chris-haack-announces-retirement-after-30-years-with-bulldog-australian-golf-digest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/492968\/","title":{"rendered":"Georgia men’s golf coach Chris Haack announces retirement after 30 years with Bulldog \u2013 Australian Golf Digest"},"content":{"rendered":"

The list of long-time college golf coaches who are calling it a career keeps getting longer.<\/p>\n

On Friday, the University of Georgia announced that men\u2019s coach Chris Haack will be retiring at the end of the 2025-26 season. Haack has been overseeing the Bulldogs program since July 1996. During his 30 seasons on the job, his teams have won two NCAA championship, eight SEC crowns and a school-record 70 tournament titles.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter much reflection and a whirlwind of emotions, I\u2019ve made the decision to retire,\u201d Haack said in a press release. \u201cWhile it\u2019s bittersweet to step away, I\u2019m genuinely excited for the next chapter and deeply confident in the bright future ahead for this storied program.\u201d<\/p>\n

Haack is the third Golf Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame member who has decided to step away from the college game in recent months. In December, Georgia Tech men\u2019s coach Bruce Heppler announced his retirement after 30-plus years with the Yellow Jackers effective at the end of the season. And last month Mike McGraw, an NCAA winning coach at Oklahoma State who most recently oversaw the Baylor men\u2019s program, announced he was stepping down immediately to take care of his ailing wife after more than 30 years as high school and college coach.<\/p>\n

Along with winning the NCAA title in 1999 and 2005, Haack\u2019s Bulldog squads have garnered nine top-10 and 17 top-20 finishes at NCAAs. Along the way, he coached 70 players to a combined 119 All-America honors, including two national players of the year (Chris Kirk, 2007, and Russell Henley, 2010). In 2001, the Bulldogs became the first college golf program to have all five starters named All-Americans in the same season.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the last three decades, I\u2019ve had a front-row seat to watch some of the finest golfers in UGA history develop, not just as players, but as men,\u201d Haack said. \u201cI love every one of them like a son. The memories we\u2019ve created, the relationships we\u2019ve built and the triumphs we\u2019ve shared will stay with me forever. I\u2019ve also been incredibly fortunate to work alongside so many exceptional people in the athletic department and with a remarkable coaching staff.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coach Haack has announced he will retire at the end of this season. <\/p>\n

Join us as we celebrate an incredible 30 years! <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd17 https:\/\/t.co\/BqKtgL32YF<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/RF2hEK7oFo<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Georgia Golf (@UGAGolf) February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Haack said that he\u2019s looking forward to spending more time with his wife Ronda and their soon-to-be seven grandchildren. He will remain with the program as a special advisor for the 2026-27 seasons.<\/p>\n

The school has not announced a replacement for Haack, who acknowledge that he\u2019s leaving behind \u201can excellent\u201d coach in assistant (and former Georgia player) Mookie DeMoss. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that DeMoss is likely to be named Haack\u2019s successor as early as Friday.<\/p>\n

Frequently Haack\u2019s players built on their college success when they turned pro. Twelve of his former players have combined to win 46 PGA Tour titles, including two Masters wins from Bubba Watson and an Open Championship victory by Brian Harman. According to the school, Haack\u2019s players have claimed more than $350 million in career earnings on the course.<\/p>\n

\"https:\/\/www.golfdigest.com\/content\/dam\/images\/golfdigest\/fullset\/2023\/7\/brian-harman-chris-haack-georgia-2007-ncaa-uga-photo.jpg\"\/ <\/p>\n

Among Haack\u2019s players who went on to successful pro careers is Brian Harman, seen here with his Georgia coach in 2007.<\/p>\n

Haack\u2019s players also performed well in the classroom, with 32 scholar All-American honors and eight times being recognized at Georgia for having the highest team grade point average of any sport.<\/p>\n

\u201cChris Haack has guided the men\u2019s golf program with excellence over the past 30 years,\u201d said UGa Athletic Director Josh Brooks. \u201cHis impact extends far beyond Athens. He is a giant on the national stage, respected by coaches, players and the entire golf community for his integrity and commitment to his student-athletes. We are forever grateful for his leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nothing but love and admiration for Coach Haack! \u2764\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/AqpqziLH3F<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Georgia Golf (@UGAGolf) February 20, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

This article was originally published on golfdigest.com<\/p>\n