By, Angelica Niedermeyer, Asst. Sports Editor
Manhattan College’s men’s golf coach Phil Wildermuth has accepted a coaching position at St. John’s University.
“[Wildermuth is a] great guy and coach for the Jaspers,” says Director of Athletics Marianne Reilly, “but was offered a wonderful opportunity at St John’s.”
With 16 years of professional coaching experience, including 10 years at Pelham Country Club and 4 years at Manhattan College, Wildermuth signed to continue his coaching career at the Roman Catholic university in Queens this past June.
“Coach Phil was a really reputable golfer and knew the game and his crafts,” says Whitney Swab, Associate Athletic Director. “He wanted the best for the program and really tried to do everything that he could to make sure the student athlete experience was a great one.”
With the fall semester approaching, the athletic department must find a new coach to guide the Jaspers.
According to the GoJasper website, “a search for his replacement is already underway.”
After the first round of interviews conducted by Swab, a group of finalists have been decided upon, explains Reilly.
“We are excited and have a really talented pool of candidates,” says Swab. “We want someone who is going to be a teacher and a mentor to our student athletes, someone who knows the game and is going to share their expertise and someone who helps us to build the program and bring it to a championship caliber golf team.”
The golf team plans to learn and prepare in the fall with a new coach to then be ready for their MAACS championship in the spring.
“Our goal in the athletic department is that anytime there is a change, the student athletes are not impacted and it is seamless,” says Swab, “We would like to have someone in here before we start the fall semester, so that they have time to build those relationships with the players, prior to going into their first competition.”
The athletic department denied access for the Quadrangle to speak with any golf team members for further comment.
Wildermuth took the Jaspers to the best finish of eighth, twice, at the MAAC Championship and in October, the Jaspers had a team-best finish of third at the LIU Nassau Intercollegiate, according to the GoJaspers website.
This year, the team of 11 players had a losing record, but started the 2021 fall season off placing ninth out of 16 teams, beating Fordham, Holy Cross, Monmouth, UPenn, UMES and Wagner at the par-72 Ryan T. Lee Memorial Collegiate at Hop Meadow CC.