Finalists Announced for 2025 NCAA Division III Dave Williams Coach of the Year Award presented by Golf Pride Grips
NORMAN, Okla. – NCAA Division III 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 Steve Conley of Methodist, Pete Gyscek of Washington & Lee, Jim Ott of Illinois Wesleyan, Dan Wesley of Rochester, and Justin Wyeth of Aurora.
Conley’s Monarchs have collected five victories, including the program’s 35th USA South Championship by 54 strokes, and four other top-four finishes in nine 2024-25 tournaments. Ranked No. 1 via Scoreboard powered by Clippd, Methodist and 27-time USA South Coach of the Year Conley have been led on the course by PING All-Region IV golfers Beau Brewer, Haden Ruby, USA South Individual Champion Caleb Ryan, Aiden Spampinato, and back-to-back USA South Player of the Year Chase Walts.
Gyscek earned ODAC Jack Jensen Coach of the Year honors after propelling Washington & Lee to their first-ever No. 1 national rankings (October 16 via Scoreboard powered by Clippd; November 1 via Bushnell/Golfweek DIII Coaches Poll). The Generals have claimed three victories, including the Golfweek October Classic and Savannah Invitational against 19 other top-44 teams, and four other top-four finishes this season. Ranked second via Scoreboard powered by Clippd, they have been led on the course by four PING All-Region IV honorees, including ODAC Golfer of the Year Jonathan McEwen and Rookie of the Year Timothy Kaufman. Gyscek is a Dave Williams Award presented by Golf Pride Grips finalist for the first time.
Ott has led the Titans to three wins, including their 13th straight CCIW Championship by 35 shots, and four other top-four finishes in his 25th season at the helm of his alma mater. Ranked fifth via Scoreboard powered by Clippd, Illinois Wesleyan and 12-time CCIW Coach of the Year Ott have been led on the course by PING All-Region V golfers Juney Bai, Quinn Clifford, Aidan Healy, CCIW Individual Champion Michael Spitzer, and CCIW Student-Athlete of the Year Griffin Pohl.
Rochester recorded four top-three finishes and their second straight Liberty League Championship in Wesley’s 18th season leading his alma mater. The Yellowjackets were led on the course by five PING All-Region II honorees, including Liberty League Men’s Golf Player of the Year Shibo Wang and Rookie of the Year Luke Evans. Wesley, 2024 Golf Pride Grips Region II Coach of the Year and leader of the 2025 Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year, is a Dave Williams Award presented by Golf Pride Grips finalist for the first time.
Wyeth has guided the Spartans to nine victories, including their eighth consecutive NACC Championship by 18 strokes, and two runner-up finishes in 11 tournaments this season. Ranked eighth via Scoreboard powered by Clippd, Aurora has been led on the course by PING All-Region VI golfers Braeden Duncan, NACC Individual Champion Jackson Hulsey, Mattias Morris, and NACC Freshman of the Year Caleb Negley. The eight-time NACC Coaching Staff of the Year leader and 2022 Golf Pride Grips Region VI Coach of the Year, Wyeth is a Dave Williams Award presented by Golf Pride Grips finalist for the first time.
All five finalists are coaching this week at the 2025 NCAA Division III Men’s Golf Championship at Midvale Country Club in Penfield, N.Y.
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.