Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
McEntire tabbed to lead Blue Raider Men's Golf
7/25/2018 10:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Becomes eighth head coach in program history
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee Director of Athletics Chris Massaro announced Wednesday the hiring of 17-year coaching veteran Mark McEntire to lead the Middle Tennessee men's golf program.
The former College of Charleston head coach replaces Brennan Webb, who led the Blue Raiders to their first Conference USA Championship last season in his third and final campaign in Murfreesboro.
"We're thrilled to hire a head coach of Mark McEntire's stature," Massaro stated. "His 13 years of tremendous success at College of Charleston – including four league championships – just spoke volumes to his coaching ability and I think he'll be a perfect fit for our program. We're excited to see him take our men's golf program to even greater heights."
McEntire becomes the eighth head coach in Middle Tennessee men's golf history following a 13-year stint in Charleston. His tenure with the Cougars included four Colonial Athletic Association championships (2014, '15, '16, '17), four NCAA Regional appearances (2014, '15, '16, '17) and seven total team championships in the last five seasons.
His efforts leading the Cougars netted him CAA Coach of the Year honors in 2014, 2016 and 2017, while he nearly led College of Charleston to a fifth straight conference title and regional appearance in 2018. His most recent squad finished two strokes off the championship pace despite playing with a roster featuring 11 underclassmen and no upperclassmen.
"We had a very similar model for success at Charleston to that which has been very successful in past years here at Middle Tennessee," McEntire stated. "We had a tournament – The Invitational at The Ocean Course – that allowed us to play a national schedule. It helped us in recruiting, fundraising and allowed us to attract top talent.
"The Grove offers the exact same benefits to this program. With The Grove having hosted a Regional with hope for another in the future it is a fantastic recruiting tool. Also having access to Nike Elite products along with the aviation program on campus, I feel that we have the resources to continue to attract national talent. I was very impressed with the entire package here at MT."
In addition to incredible team success during College of Charleston's five seasons as CAA members, McEntire has also developed players that have achieved tremendous individual success both inside and outside the Cougar men's golf program.
In the last five seasons, McEntire's teams have produced four CAA Player of the Year honorees, four CAA individual champions, 11 CAA All-Conference selections and 11 CAA All-Tournament team selections. He led Cougar golfer Michael Sass to CAA Rookie of the Year honors in 2017 and former Cougar Josh Lorenzetti to Southern Conference Freshman of the Year honors and a SoCon individual title in 2013.
Additionally, McEntire coached former Cougar standout William Rainey to the NCAA Championship as an individual qualifier in 2016, the same season in which Rainey was named the second Ping Division I All-American in College of Charleston history.
The Cougars also enjoyed impressive academic success during McEntire's run at the helm of the program as College of Charleston boasted six GCAA All-American Scholars and four CAA All-Academic Team selections in the last five seasons while all 33 seniors left College of Charleston with college diplomas.
"Academics are very important to our success as a golf team," McEntire added. "I will hold our players to a very high standard when it comes to academics. With the support staff and resources we have in place I expect our players to excel in the classroom. We will focus on time management and make sure that our student-athletes have everything in order academically to allow them to also play their best on the course."
Prior to his 13 seasons in Charleston, McEntire spent one season as an assistant coach at Louisiana State University (2004-05) and three seasons as the head coach at Division II St. Edward's (TX) University (2001-04) where he led the Hilltoppers to their first ever NCAA Division II Regional Tournament.
The Austin, Texas, native earned his bachelor's degree in Sports Management from the University of Texas in 2000 and was a four-year letterman for the Longhorns in men's golf.
While competing at Texas, McEntire participated in the 1999 U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach and the 2000 Public Links Championship in Portland, Ore.
Following his graduation, McEntire spent time working in the Longhorns' athletic compliance office and as a teacher of beginning and advanced golf classes at UT.
McEntire is joined in Murfreesboro by his wife, Meredith, and their two sons, Ford Liam and Grayson Carter.
"My family and I are very excited to be joining the Blue Raider community," McEntire stated. "We have received numerous texts and phone calls and people have gone above and beyond to make us feel welcome here already. There is a tremendous amount of support for the program and we have a very loyal following. I look forward to meeting everyone and continuing to build on what Coach (Johnny) Moore, Coach (Whit) Turnbow and Coach (Brennan) Webb have established."
The former College of Charleston head coach replaces Brennan Webb, who led the Blue Raiders to their first Conference USA Championship last season in his third and final campaign in Murfreesboro.
"We're thrilled to hire a head coach of Mark McEntire's stature," Massaro stated. "His 13 years of tremendous success at College of Charleston – including four league championships – just spoke volumes to his coaching ability and I think he'll be a perfect fit for our program. We're excited to see him take our men's golf program to even greater heights."
McEntire becomes the eighth head coach in Middle Tennessee men's golf history following a 13-year stint in Charleston. His tenure with the Cougars included four Colonial Athletic Association championships (2014, '15, '16, '17), four NCAA Regional appearances (2014, '15, '16, '17) and seven total team championships in the last five seasons.
His efforts leading the Cougars netted him CAA Coach of the Year honors in 2014, 2016 and 2017, while he nearly led College of Charleston to a fifth straight conference title and regional appearance in 2018. His most recent squad finished two strokes off the championship pace despite playing with a roster featuring 11 underclassmen and no upperclassmen.
"We had a very similar model for success at Charleston to that which has been very successful in past years here at Middle Tennessee," McEntire stated. "We had a tournament – The Invitational at The Ocean Course – that allowed us to play a national schedule. It helped us in recruiting, fundraising and allowed us to attract top talent.
"The Grove offers the exact same benefits to this program. With The Grove having hosted a Regional with hope for another in the future it is a fantastic recruiting tool. Also having access to Nike Elite products along with the aviation program on campus, I feel that we have the resources to continue to attract national talent. I was very impressed with the entire package here at MT."
In addition to incredible team success during College of Charleston's five seasons as CAA members, McEntire has also developed players that have achieved tremendous individual success both inside and outside the Cougar men's golf program.
In the last five seasons, McEntire's teams have produced four CAA Player of the Year honorees, four CAA individual champions, 11 CAA All-Conference selections and 11 CAA All-Tournament team selections. He led Cougar golfer Michael Sass to CAA Rookie of the Year honors in 2017 and former Cougar Josh Lorenzetti to Southern Conference Freshman of the Year honors and a SoCon individual title in 2013.
Additionally, McEntire coached former Cougar standout William Rainey to the NCAA Championship as an individual qualifier in 2016, the same season in which Rainey was named the second Ping Division I All-American in College of Charleston history.
The Cougars also enjoyed impressive academic success during McEntire's run at the helm of the program as College of Charleston boasted six GCAA All-American Scholars and four CAA All-Academic Team selections in the last five seasons while all 33 seniors left College of Charleston with college diplomas.
"Academics are very important to our success as a golf team," McEntire added. "I will hold our players to a very high standard when it comes to academics. With the support staff and resources we have in place I expect our players to excel in the classroom. We will focus on time management and make sure that our student-athletes have everything in order academically to allow them to also play their best on the course."
Prior to his 13 seasons in Charleston, McEntire spent one season as an assistant coach at Louisiana State University (2004-05) and three seasons as the head coach at Division II St. Edward's (TX) University (2001-04) where he led the Hilltoppers to their first ever NCAA Division II Regional Tournament.
The Austin, Texas, native earned his bachelor's degree in Sports Management from the University of Texas in 2000 and was a four-year letterman for the Longhorns in men's golf.
While competing at Texas, McEntire participated in the 1999 U.S. Amateur at Pebble Beach and the 2000 Public Links Championship in Portland, Ore.
Following his graduation, McEntire spent time working in the Longhorns' athletic compliance office and as a teacher of beginning and advanced golf classes at UT.
McEntire is joined in Murfreesboro by his wife, Meredith, and their two sons, Ford Liam and Grayson Carter.
"My family and I are very excited to be joining the Blue Raider community," McEntire stated. "We have received numerous texts and phone calls and people have gone above and beyond to make us feel welcome here already. There is a tremendous amount of support for the program and we have a very loyal following. I look forward to meeting everyone and continuing to build on what Coach (Johnny) Moore, Coach (Whit) Turnbow and Coach (Brennan) Webb have established."
2025 Blue Raider Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Saturday, September 20
Raider Report Week 4 - MTSU vs. Marshall University
Friday, September 19
A look back: 1965 and 1985 Undefeated Blue Raider Football Teams
Wednesday, September 17
True Blue Testimonials - Caroline Macander MTSU Volleyball Setter - Presented by MMC
Tuesday, September 16
