The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Announces Change In Women's Golf Leadership
4/24/2015 | Women's Golf
OXFORD, Miss. -- Ole Miss will begin a search for a new women's golf head coach, as Michele Drinkard will not return as the Rebel's head coach, as announced by Ole Miss athletics director, Ross Bjork on Friday.
"Michele Drinkard is a great person and has represented our entire athletics program with passion and energy at all times," said Bjork. "She provided steady leadership of our golf program and we appreciate her work as our head coach. Michele has made tremendous contributions to our program, and we wish her the best as she moves forward." Â
"Ole Miss is a very special place and a place that has my heart," said Drinkard. "The current players and past players are my family and I will always cherish the time we have had together and look forward to being there for them in the future.  I may not be the sitting head coach now, but I will always be 100% supportive of the Ole Miss athletic department.  I appreciate all the kind words Ross Bjork and Lynnette Johnson had for me this morning. It meant the world to me."
In eight seasons as head coach, Drinkard led the Rebels to five NCAA appearances although the last berth came during the 2013 season. Drinkard's Rebels performed well in the classroom and received the Chancellors Cup several times during her tenure and she has coached 11 players to Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) Scholar All-America honors. Additionally, several of Drinkard's former players are on the LPGA Tour, most noticeably, Ole Miss' first All-American, Dori Carter, who is currently staring on the LPGA Tour.
"As we evaluated the current state of the program and our vision for the future, we felt a change was needed to give us the best chance to gain a competitive position in the SEC and NCAA landscape," said Bjork. "We have great facilities with the Ole Miss Golf Course and Herrington Golf Center. We have an excellent driving range and a practice putting surface soon to be completed. All of these assets provide a nationally competitive and teachable platform for golf success. This is an attractive job because of the tremendous momentum at Ole Miss, and we will begin a national search immediately."
For all Ole Miss women's golf news and information, go to OleMissSports.com, and follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissWGolf and Facebook at Ole Miss Women's Golf
