University of Georgia Athletics
Haack Announces Retirement from Georgia Golf Program
February 20, 2026 | Men's Golf
ATHENS, Ga. — Chris Haack, who has guided the Georgia men's golf program for three decades and cultivated a generation of PGA Tour talent, announced Friday that he will retire at the end of the season.
Haack will remain with the program as a special advisor for the 2026-27 season.
Haack has led the Bulldogs to two national championships (the only two in school history), eight Southeastern Conference crowns and a program-record 70 team tournament titles. A five-time SEC Coach of the Year and two-time National Coach of the Year, Haack is a member of the Golf Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame, the Georgia State Golf Association's Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. Haack shared the following statement looking back on his journey at UGA:
"After much reflection and a whirlwind of emotions, I've made the decision to retire as head coach of the University of Georgia men's golf program. While it's bittersweet to step away, I'm genuinely excited for the next chapter and deeply confident in the bright future ahead for this storied program. I leave behind a talented, dedicated group of players, an outstanding incoming recruiting class, and an excellent coach in Mookie DeMoss. For the last three decades, I've had a front-row seat to watch some of the finest golfers in UGA history develop, not just as players, but as men. I love every one of them like a son. The memories we've created, the relationships we've built and the triumphs we've shared will stay with me forever. I've also been incredibly fortunate to work alongside so many exceptional people in the athletic department and with a remarkable coaching staff. A special thank you to my assistant coaches over the years: Ryan Hybl, Jason Payne, Mookie DeMoss and especially my longtime friend and master storyteller, Jim Douglas, who stood by my side for 25 unforgettable years. What a ride it's been. I want to thank my two outstanding administrative assistants Denise Saliba and Dale Brown, the only two assistants I had in 30 years. To my wonderful wife, Ronda, thank you for your unwavering support through every season and every chapter. We're looking forward to more time with our big, beautiful family and our six, soon to be seven, grandchildren, who are already planning all the adventures ahead. Thank you to the University of Georgia, the golf program, our alumni, fans and everyone who has been part of this journey. It's been the honor of a lifetime. Go Dawgs forever."
The Bulldogs under Haack have been a perennial force on the national stage, recording nine top-10 and 17 top-20 efforts at the NCAAs. This storied run includes the 1999 and 2005 national championships, runner-up efforts in 2007 and 2011, and third-place showings in 2009 and 2015.
Under Haack's tutelage, 70 Bulldogs have combined to earn 119 All-America honors. In 2001, Georgia became the first program ever to have all five starters named All-Americans in the same season. Haack has produced two National Players of the Year in Chris Kirk (2007 Ben Hogan Award) and Russell Henley (2010 Fred Haskins Award), as well as six SEC Players of the Year and eight SEC Freshmen of the Year.
"Chris Haack has guided the men's golf program with excellence over the past 30 years," said Josh Brooks, Georgia's J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics. "His impact extends far beyond Athens. He is a giant on the national stage, respected by coaches, players and the entire golf community for his integrity and commitment to his student-athletes. We are forever grateful for his leadership."
Haack's commitment to excellence has extended to the classroom, confirmed by 32 Scholar All-America citations and eight Faculty Athletic Representative Awards for having the highest team grade point average at Georgia.
"Coach Chris Haack has been a cornerstone of the University of Georgia athletic department for three decades, consistently representing our institution with distinction," said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. "His remarkable record on the golf course is matched only by his commitment to the academic success and personal growth of his student-athletes. We are deeply grateful for his service to UGA and the foundational role he has played in the lives of so many individuals."
Haack's fingerprints can be found on the professional ranks as well. Twelve Bulldogs who played for him have combined for 46 PGA Tour victories. Bubba Watson, who leads the roster with 12 titles, twice won the Masters, while Brian Harman claimed the Open Championship. Haack's players have accumulated more than $350 million in career earnings.
Before being named Georgia's coach in 1996, Haack was a driving force for the American Junior Golf Association from 1981-96. During his tenure, he served as captain of the Canon Cup West Team, leading squads that included future Hall of Famer Tiger Woods.
QUOTES ABOUT COACH HAACK
KEVIN KISNER
"Coach Haack not only guided me on the golf course but also inspired me to grow as a person. His unwavering support and wisdom helped shape both my golf career and my character."
RUSSELL HENLEY
"I have great memories from my time at UGA with Haacker. We had a ton of fun. He was very encouraging and put me in an environment where I could steadily get better and compete at the highest possible level. He helped me focus on getting better in the long term and to enjoy the present moment. It was exactly what I needed to hear. I am thankful for our time in Athens. He was awesome."
RYAN HYBL
(head coach at Oklahoma and former Georgia player/assistant)
"Coach Haack has been a major part of my life for over half of my life! Obviously playing for him was the beginning for me, but we have so much more to share than just my playing time at Georgia. He not only gave me an opportunity to play college golf at the highest level, but he also helped me get my coaching career started at UGA, which I cannot thank him enough for that opportunity. I have had over 25 years of a relationship with Chris Haack and his spirit is as fun and lively as anyone I have known in my lifetime. He has done everything in his power to keep Georgia golf at the top, and he is one of the best connectors of people I have ever been around. It's been an honor to play for him, coach with him and coach against him over the years and I will miss him out here on the road…Chris Haack is a DGD!"
NICK CASSINI
"Coach Haack was more than a coach to me; he was a mentor who shaped how I compete and how I carry myself. He demanded excellence, accountability and commitment to the team, and he taught us to play for something bigger than ourselves. Winning the 1999 National Championship at the University of Georgia was a defining moment, but the lessons Coach Haack instilled in me have lasted a lifetime. I'm deeply grateful for his impact on my life."
KEITH MITCHELL
"Coach Haack bred his players on the notion "iron sharpens iron." Nothing was given to us, and every spot on the line up was earned. He truly treated us like PGA Tour professionals while in school, and I truly believe this is why he has so many successful players on Tour."
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Haack will remain with the program as a special advisor for the 2026-27 season.
Haack has led the Bulldogs to two national championships (the only two in school history), eight Southeastern Conference crowns and a program-record 70 team tournament titles. A five-time SEC Coach of the Year and two-time National Coach of the Year, Haack is a member of the Golf Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame, the Georgia State Golf Association's Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. Haack shared the following statement looking back on his journey at UGA:
"After much reflection and a whirlwind of emotions, I've made the decision to retire as head coach of the University of Georgia men's golf program. While it's bittersweet to step away, I'm genuinely excited for the next chapter and deeply confident in the bright future ahead for this storied program. I leave behind a talented, dedicated group of players, an outstanding incoming recruiting class, and an excellent coach in Mookie DeMoss. For the last three decades, I've had a front-row seat to watch some of the finest golfers in UGA history develop, not just as players, but as men. I love every one of them like a son. The memories we've created, the relationships we've built and the triumphs we've shared will stay with me forever. I've also been incredibly fortunate to work alongside so many exceptional people in the athletic department and with a remarkable coaching staff. A special thank you to my assistant coaches over the years: Ryan Hybl, Jason Payne, Mookie DeMoss and especially my longtime friend and master storyteller, Jim Douglas, who stood by my side for 25 unforgettable years. What a ride it's been. I want to thank my two outstanding administrative assistants Denise Saliba and Dale Brown, the only two assistants I had in 30 years. To my wonderful wife, Ronda, thank you for your unwavering support through every season and every chapter. We're looking forward to more time with our big, beautiful family and our six, soon to be seven, grandchildren, who are already planning all the adventures ahead. Thank you to the University of Georgia, the golf program, our alumni, fans and everyone who has been part of this journey. It's been the honor of a lifetime. Go Dawgs forever."
The Bulldogs under Haack have been a perennial force on the national stage, recording nine top-10 and 17 top-20 efforts at the NCAAs. This storied run includes the 1999 and 2005 national championships, runner-up efforts in 2007 and 2011, and third-place showings in 2009 and 2015.
Under Haack's tutelage, 70 Bulldogs have combined to earn 119 All-America honors. In 2001, Georgia became the first program ever to have all five starters named All-Americans in the same season. Haack has produced two National Players of the Year in Chris Kirk (2007 Ben Hogan Award) and Russell Henley (2010 Fred Haskins Award), as well as six SEC Players of the Year and eight SEC Freshmen of the Year.
"Chris Haack has guided the men's golf program with excellence over the past 30 years," said Josh Brooks, Georgia's J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics. "His impact extends far beyond Athens. He is a giant on the national stage, respected by coaches, players and the entire golf community for his integrity and commitment to his student-athletes. We are forever grateful for his leadership."
Haack's commitment to excellence has extended to the classroom, confirmed by 32 Scholar All-America citations and eight Faculty Athletic Representative Awards for having the highest team grade point average at Georgia.
"Coach Chris Haack has been a cornerstone of the University of Georgia athletic department for three decades, consistently representing our institution with distinction," said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. "His remarkable record on the golf course is matched only by his commitment to the academic success and personal growth of his student-athletes. We are deeply grateful for his service to UGA and the foundational role he has played in the lives of so many individuals."
Haack's fingerprints can be found on the professional ranks as well. Twelve Bulldogs who played for him have combined for 46 PGA Tour victories. Bubba Watson, who leads the roster with 12 titles, twice won the Masters, while Brian Harman claimed the Open Championship. Haack's players have accumulated more than $350 million in career earnings.
Before being named Georgia's coach in 1996, Haack was a driving force for the American Junior Golf Association from 1981-96. During his tenure, he served as captain of the Canon Cup West Team, leading squads that included future Hall of Famer Tiger Woods.
QUOTES ABOUT COACH HAACK
KEVIN KISNER
"Coach Haack not only guided me on the golf course but also inspired me to grow as a person. His unwavering support and wisdom helped shape both my golf career and my character."
RUSSELL HENLEY
"I have great memories from my time at UGA with Haacker. We had a ton of fun. He was very encouraging and put me in an environment where I could steadily get better and compete at the highest possible level. He helped me focus on getting better in the long term and to enjoy the present moment. It was exactly what I needed to hear. I am thankful for our time in Athens. He was awesome."
RYAN HYBL
(head coach at Oklahoma and former Georgia player/assistant)
"Coach Haack has been a major part of my life for over half of my life! Obviously playing for him was the beginning for me, but we have so much more to share than just my playing time at Georgia. He not only gave me an opportunity to play college golf at the highest level, but he also helped me get my coaching career started at UGA, which I cannot thank him enough for that opportunity. I have had over 25 years of a relationship with Chris Haack and his spirit is as fun and lively as anyone I have known in my lifetime. He has done everything in his power to keep Georgia golf at the top, and he is one of the best connectors of people I have ever been around. It's been an honor to play for him, coach with him and coach against him over the years and I will miss him out here on the road…Chris Haack is a DGD!"
NICK CASSINI
"Coach Haack was more than a coach to me; he was a mentor who shaped how I compete and how I carry myself. He demanded excellence, accountability and commitment to the team, and he taught us to play for something bigger than ourselves. Winning the 1999 National Championship at the University of Georgia was a defining moment, but the lessons Coach Haack instilled in me have lasted a lifetime. I'm deeply grateful for his impact on my life."
KEITH MITCHELL
"Coach Haack bred his players on the notion "iron sharpens iron." Nothing was given to us, and every spot on the line up was earned. He truly treated us like PGA Tour professionals while in school, and I truly believe this is why he has so many successful players on Tour."
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Georgia Men's Golf SEC Championship - Quarterfinals - Postmatch Interview - Coach Haack
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Georgia Men's Golf SEC Championship - Round 3 - Video Recap
Friday, April 25
Georgia Men's Golf SEC Championship - Round 2 Video Recap
Thursday, April 24
Georgia Men's Golf SEC Championship - Round 1 Video Recap
Wednesday, April 23