Mark Hankins

Position: Head Coach Experience: Fifth Year Alma Mater: Iowa State, 1993

Mark Hankins is in his fifth season as head men's golf coach at the University of Iowa. Hankins took over in 2007 after spending seven years as the head coach at Michigan State University.

Under Hankins' direction, the Hawkeyes finished the 2011 season with the highest national ranking in school history (ninth). Of the five team tournament titles won in the 2010-11 season, Iowa won four consecutive titles in the fall. Ranked ninth among all NCAA Division I teams, Iowa earned its third consecutive NCAA appearance. The Hawkeyes tied for 10th at the NCAA Championships, marking their highest finish since 1960.

Hankins also coached two All-Americans, three All-Big Ten performers and three Academic All-Americans in 2011. Leading the charge was senior Vince India, recipient of Big Ten Player of the Year honors, third-team All-American and winner of the prestiguous Les Bolstad Trophy.

The 2010 Hawkeyes finished the season ranked 36th in the nation and earned their best Big Ten finish (second) since 1992. Additionally, the Hawkeyes picked up their second tournament title in as many seasons with a win at the 2010 TaylorMade-adidas Hawkeye Invitational.

The Hawkeyes' climb in national rankings began in 2009 under Hankins. Iowa jumped from 155th to 54th during the season as it picked up its first tournament title since 2004 by winning the 2008 Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, NC. Furthermore, Hankins coached the Black and Gold to a fifth place finish at the 2009 Southeast Regionals and a 17th place finish at the NCAA Championships in Toledo, OH; marking the first time the Hawkeyes have qualified for the championships since 1995.

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 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.

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 associate head coach of the men's golf program at his alma mater, Iowa State University. From 1995-1997 he worked as associate 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, including 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 second vice president of the Golf Coaches Association of America. 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 an MBA 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 to attain success 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.

"I am extremely excited by the support and enthusiasm the administration, alumni, and friends of the golf program have shown throughout my first four years at Iowa. Gary (Barta) has clearly made a commitment to winning championships in every sport, including men's golf, at the University of Iowa."