Finalists Announced for 2025 NAIA Dave Williams Coach of the Year Award presented by Golf Pride Grips

NORMAN, Okla. – NAIA finalists for the 2025 Dave Williams Award presented by Golf Pride Grips have been announced by the GCAA. The Williams Award honors the national coach of the year in NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, NJCAA Division I, and NJCAA Division II men’s golf.

The five finalists are Chris Butler of Lindsey Wilson, Kevin Long of Texas Wesleyan, Brandon Miller of Keiser, Ben Rickett of Dalton State, and Blake Trimble of Oklahoma City.

Lindsey Wilson has compiled a nation-high seven team victories, including their second straight Mid-South Conference (MSC) Championship, and nine top-five finishes in Butler’s second season at the helm. Ranked fourth via Scoreboard powered by Clippd, the Blue Raiders have been led on the course by PING All-Midwest Region golfers Johan Bredenkamp, Rio Saigal, Stanley White, and Toby White.

Long’s Rams have recorded four team wins and 10 top-three finishes this season, including four runner-ups. Ranked sixth via Scoreboard powered by Clippd, Texas Wesleyan has been led on the course by PING All-West Region honorees Colin Price, a NAIA Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award presented by Workday finalist, and Brady Meek, the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) Freshman of the Year.

Keiser has won four tournaments, including the program’s fourth Sun Conference Championship, and recorded eight top-four finishes in Miller’s 15th season in West Palm Beach. Ranked second via Scoreboard powered by Clippd, the Seahawks have been led on the course by seven PING All-South Region golfers, including 2025 Sun Conference Golfer of the Year William Brun Solum and Freshman of the Year Adam Buchanan.

Rickett’s Roadrunners have put up six wins, including four straight, and haven’t finished lower than third this season. Ranked third via Scoreboard powered by Clippd, Dalton State has been led on the course by PING All-South Region honorees Barrett Loftis, Ben McFadden, and Jack Whaley, a NAIA Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award presented by Workday finalist and the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Player of the Year.

Ranked No. 1 via Scoreboard powered by Clippd since March 19, Oklahoma City has compiled six wins and finished no lower than third in Trimble’s second season at the helm. The Stars have been led on the course by PING All-South Region honorees Michael Robson, Lorenzo Santinelli, Christian Yanovitch, and Tres Hill, a NAIA Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award presented by Workday finalist and the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) Golfer of the Year.

All five finalists will be coaching at the 2025 NAIA Men’s Golf Championship May 20-23 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill.

About Golf Pride Grips

For over seven decades, we’ve been the global leader in golf grip innovation and technology, from the invention of the slip-on grip to groundbreaking advancements in cord with our new Brushed Cotton Technology (BCT®) to the introduction of the hybrid category of grips. Today, Golf Pride® has laid claim to more major wins than any other grip company. More than 80% of Tour professionals choose to play our grips and not one is paid to do so. And in this age of multi-million dollar endorsement deals, that’s the strongest endorsement of all. So, whether you’re a Tour pro playing a major, a rising amateur, or an everyday golfer, you can rest assured knowing you’re playing the #1 Grip in Golf. To learn more about Golf Pride®, go to golfpride.com.