ELON, N.C. – Elon University Director of Athletics Dave Blank announced Don Hill as the new Phoenix head men’s golf coach Monday. The former associate head men’s golf coach at the University of South Carolina, Hill replaces Bill Morningstar, who retired following the 2013 season after 41 years at Elon.
“Don Hill has experienced tremendous success at every level of his golf career and we are very excited to welcome him to Elon University,” Blank said. “Don’s commitment to academic excellence along with his background as both a coach and player make him a perfect fit at Elon. We are confident Don will be able to bring a very high level of experience to our program.”
Hill spent the last two seasons as the associate head men’s golf coach at South Carolina, helping the Gamecocks to outstanding success both in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and nationally.
“I want to thank Dave Blank and the entire search committee for this opportunity,” Hill said. “I also want to thank Coach Morningstar. He is a living legend and has meant so much to the university and the game of golf. It was easy to see when I stepped foot on campus why this place has been so special for him for so long.
“The opportunity to coach at Elon was very enticing, and it is exciting to see all the growth that is taking place at the university,” Hill added. “I really believe we can build something special at Elon, given the school, academics, community and facilities.”
This past season, Hill helped South Carolina lock up an NCAA postseason bid for the second straight year. Currently ranked 22nd nationally, South Carolina had one of its most successful seasons in recent history in 2013. The Gamecocks recorded five top-three finishes, including a win at the Wendy’s Kiawah Classic, as well as a pair of runner-up finishes. South Carolina finished two strokes back of second-ranked Alabama at the SEC Championship this year. Individually, Hill helped guide sophomore Caleb Sturgeon to a runner-up finish at the SEC Championship with a total score of 205 (-5), which is the second lowest 54-hole SEC Championship score in USC history.
Prior to joining head coach Bill McDonald's staff at USC, Hill spent eight years as assistant men's coach at North Carolina from 2004-2011.
Hill assisted the UNC men’s golf program in the day-to-day operations in addition to his on-course duties as coach and teacher. Hill joined the UNC coaching staff after working one year with UNC's Rams Club as a graduate intern. Prior to that, he played on golf mini tours from 1999-2001.
In his time as North Carolina's assistant coach, the Tar Heels won 10 tournaments, including the ACC Championship in 2006 and the UNCG Bridgestone Golf Collegiate in the fall of 2010. Five Tar Heels captured seven individual championships during Hill’s tenure, as well. Hill has coached three All-Americans, including Martin Ureta in 2005 and 2006, Dustin Bray in 2002-04 and Kevin O'Connell in 2008.
Hill was a member of the UNC men's golf team (1995, 1997-99). He was a two-time All-ACC performer and two-time honorable mention All-American in 1998 and 1999. Hill helped lead North Carolina to 10th-place NCAA finishes in 1997 and 1999. He was the runner-up at the 1998 ACC Championship, one stroke behind Clemson's Charles Warren, and finished 10th at the 1999 NCAA Championship. Hill posted 13 top-10 finishes during his four-year collegiate career and 23 top-25 finishes. He posted a 72.88 stroke average in 1997-98 and a 73.03 average in 1998-99.
Hill, a native of Mount Olive, N.C., and a four-year golf standout at Southern Wayne High School, graduated from North Carolina in 1999 with a degree in communications.