Mark Hankins Position: Head Coach Experience: Second Year Alma Mater: Iowa State, 1993

Mark Hankins is in his second season as head men's golf coach at the University of Iowa. Hankins took over prior to last season after spending seven years as the head coach at Michigan State University.

While at Michigan State, Hankins led the Spartans to 10 tournament titles, including two Big Ten Championships (2005 and 2007). In addition, he was voted Big Ten Coach of the Year twice by his peers (2005 and 2007). Hankins also guided Michigan State to five NCAA appearances in his seven years, including a 23rd place finish in the 2007 NCAA Division I National Championship.

Hankins' resume at Michigan State also includes 10 tournament titles, 64 top-10 finishes, national rankings during three different seasons including the Fall 2004 season when his Spartan team was ranked seventh out of 290 Division I men's golf programs, 27 first team academic all-Big Ten selections, two academic All-Americans, two All-Americans, one Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and the first Big Ten Conference medalist in Michigan State men's golf history.

In his first two seasons (1999-2001) at Michigan State, the Green and White posted 19 top-10 finishes out of 22 tournaments. In 2002, Hankins guided the Spartans to its first trip to the NCAA Regionals since 1994 and established a ranking of 27th in the country. The 2003-04 campaign saw Michigan State post 11 top-20 finishes, including six in the top 10, and advance to the NCAA Regionals for the second straight year. The 2004-05 season was an impressive one for the Spartans, as they placed in the top five in nine of their 11 tournaments, including capturing the Big Ten championship. Hankins guided the Spartans to 10 top-five finishes his final two season at Michigan State (2005-07), including winning three tournament titles (2007 Boilermaker Invitational, 2007 Fossum Invitational and 2007 Big Ten Tournament).

Hankins' coaching resume also includes a two-year stint as head coach at the University of Texas at Arlington. There Hankins led the Mavericks to a top-25 ranking in 1998 and 1999 and led them to eight Division I collegiate tournament titles in two seasons, the most in Division I golf during that time. In addition, the Mavericks qualified for two straight NCAA regional berths, one NCAA national qualifier, and captured the Southland Conference Championship in 1999. Hankins worked a total of three years as an assistant coach for men and women, and co-head coach of the men's golf program at his alma mater, Iowa State University. From 1995-1997 he worked as co-head coach for the Cyclones. During this time, Iowa State advanced to two NCAA regional berths and won three tournament titles. In his final season at Iowa State, the Cyclones broke every existing team record, individual scoring average, tournament wins and NCAA Regional finish.

His coaching experience also includes serving as head golf coach for the United States team that participated in the 2007 World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

In addition to coaching, Hankins has served as a professional at numerous country clubs and camps, including Ames Golf and Country Club, Cyclone Country Golf Camp, Cyclone Golf Academy, Des Moines Golf and Country Club and Iowa PGA Golf Academy. He is currently third vice president of the Golf Coaches of America Association.

During his playing career, Hankins earned all-Big Eight Conference honors his senior season at Iowa State (1993). His personal best round of 66 set a Cyclone individual scoring record. A three-time academic all-Big Eight honoree (1988, 1991 and 1993), Hankins was also named an academic all-American as a senior. He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1993 and a master's degree in business administration in 1997 from Iowa State.

In addition to collegiate competition, Hankins has played on the Nike Tour, Golden State Tour, Tommy Armour Tour and participated in PGA Tour Qualifying.

Hankins said his expectations for the student-athletes who will compete for the UI under his direction will be successful both on the golf course and in the classroom.

"It's my responsibility to provide the platform for every member of our men's golf program to succeed athletically and academically. I want them to have a first-class experience and to graduate with a sense of pride about themselves and our university," he said.

Hankins is a native of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and a graduate of Iowa State University.

"It's great to be coming home and an honor for me to be the head men's golf coach at the University of Iowa," said Hankins.

"I am extremely excited by the support and enthusiasm the administration, alumni, and other friends of the golf program have shown throughout the search process. Gary (Barta) is clearly making a commitment to winning championships in every sport at the University of Iowa and I am eager to turn that commitment into reality in the sport of men's golf."