University of Minnesota Athletics
MEANS RESIGNS AS HEAD GOLF COACH; JAMES NAMED INTERIM COACH
9/6/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
An assistant coach for the past six years at the U of M, James has agreed to a one-year contract. A former Golden Gopher golfer (1993-95), he is regarded as one of the top young golf instructors in Minnesota. He was instrumental in the recruitment of fellow Australian and 1998 NCAA Champion James McLean and current Golden Gopher Simon Nash. A native of Cairns, Queensland, Australia, James graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in kinesiology.
John Means served as head men's golf coach since 1991. He built the Golden Gophers back into a national power. The team has made eight consecutive appearances in the NCAA Golf Tournament, including a Big Ten-high four consecutive trips to the finals. In 1998, he coached James McLean to the NCAA individual title, and the team to a seventh- place finish, its highest finish since 1944. Prior to his arrival at Minnesota, Means was the head coach at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for 10 years.
"I appreciate John's agreement to stay on through the end of the semester to aid in this difficult transition," said Director of Men's Athletics Tom Moe. "We are very fortunate to have an able and talented coach like Brad James to serve as interim head coach. I am confident the program will continue to build on its recent success." Moe plans to consider a search for a new coach within the next year.
