University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Men's Golf

GCAA Hall of Fame coach Mike Small, has brought national recognition to Illinois golf in his 25 years at the helm of the program. The 2015 GCAA Dave Williams National Coach of the Year has guided the Illini to 13 of the last 16 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. Since 2010 Small has mentored two NCAA individual champions - Scott Langley (2010) and Thomas Pieters (2012) - and also coached 13 Big Ten Player of the Year honorees. During the 15 NCAA Championships held between 2010-2025, Small's Illinois program has produced more individual top-five finishers (8), than any program in the country. 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. Small has led Illinois to top-five NCAA finishes in nine of the last 14 postseasons, including a runner-up finish in 2013. Small has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year a conference-record 13 times in his career and has also been named Midwest Regional Coach of the Year on 13 occasions. As a former full-time professional, he can share with aspiring tour players what it takes to play at the next level. As someone who still competes and succeeds at a handful of high-profile events each year, he has had a chance to rub elbows with the likes of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

Began at Illinois: September, 2016 Education: Schilling earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise and sport science from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Eric Gilpin enters his fourth season at the University of Illinois in 2025-26, where he serves as an Assistant Coach for the Fighting Illini men’s golf program overseeing

Began at Illinois: February, 2015 Education: Rayman earned an associates degree from Danville Area Community College. Job Responsibilities: Rayman is responsible

Began at Illinois: April, 2023 Education: Clawson earned her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Truman State and her Master of Science in CAATE Post-Professional

Ruben Sondjaja enters his third season as assistant coach for the Fighting Illini men’s golf program in 2025-26. He was hired on June 9, 2023.  Sondjaja (sawnd-JEYE-uh)

Began at Illinois: December, 2001. Education: An Oklahoma native, Clapp earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in geography from Oklahoma State University