The University of Mississippi Athletics
Chris Malloy: Ole Miss Player, Coach and Now SEC Champion
4/29/2026 | Men's Golf
By Jeff Roberson
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss head men's golf coach Chris Malloy said he's only experienced a similar moment once before. This time, it was when his Rebels had just completed practice rounds at the Southeastern Conference Tournament at Sea Island, Ga.
The other time? That was when the former Ole Miss golfer was an assistant coach at Florida State, before becoming the head coach at South Florida, then returning home to lead his alma mater.
"It was 2010 at FSU when we came out of nowhere to get to the Final Four," Malloy clarified as to the other time he felt like he did last week.
Pretty insightful that a veteran of coaching wars can recall only "two moments" with such confidence and clarity.
"Walking off that practice round (at Sea Island), I only told a couple of people, but I said it was going to be a special week," said Malloy, the head coach at Ole Miss since 2014 and a player for the Rebels in 1999 and 2000, serving as team captain. "Those that know me, I don't say that a whole lot, and I've had that feeling twice ever. Then they go on this run; just felt like a team of destiny."
The Rebels' lineup at the SEC Tournament consisted of seniors Tom Fischer, Cameron Tankersley, and Cohen Trolio, junior Collins Trolio, and freshman Daniel Tolf.
"They rallied around each other," Malloy said. "They had that confidence. We were thrown a couple of haymakers, with (2025 NCAA individual champion) Mike (LaSasso) leaving (in January) and then the ice storm . . . that's how our semester started. To go from that couple of pretty low moments . . . I didn't have to say a whole lot to the guys. They knew the task in front of them."
The Rebels were ready, and that became apparent all week; a long but glorious week for the program that Malloy and assistant coach Emerson Newsome continue to build.
After making it through the grind of three days of stroke play, the Rebels were in fourth place. In match play they defeated No. 5 Texas A&M, No. 1 Auburn, and in the finals got past No. 2 Florida.
"Getting this job in 2014 and knowing what we were trying to build and talking about a lot of these things, then actually doing it, it's a dream come true. Lot of highs, lot of lows. That's a part of it," said Malloy, the 2025 Golfweek Men's Coach of the Year.
"But I had an unwavering vision of what we had to do. And we're still going through it. We're not there yet. My goal is to be a perennial top five team."
And to do it at Ole Miss, his alma mater, where once he was where his players are now, it means even more.
"I love Ole Miss," Malloy said. "I love it with all my heart. That's what makes this even more special. I'm Ole Miss through and through and always will be."
Malloy was a part of winning teams during his time as a player at Ole Miss from 1999-2000, leading the Rebels to a 24th-place finish at the NCAA Championships in 1999 and an 11th-place finish at the NCAA East Regional in 2000.
This year's team still has an opportunity to do more winning for Ole Miss. And that's where Malloy says his focus is now, even though last week will always be there, and there's a new trophy to show for it.
"Proud of this group," Malloy said. "A special week."
Now there's more to come in the NCAA Tournament. The Regionals will be announced on May 6.
For updates throughout the season, follow the Rebels on X at @OleMissMGolf. Additional updates and information on the team can be found on Instagram at OleMissMGolf, on Facebook at Ole Miss Men's Golf and on OleMissSports.com.
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss head men's golf coach Chris Malloy said he's only experienced a similar moment once before. This time, it was when his Rebels had just completed practice rounds at the Southeastern Conference Tournament at Sea Island, Ga.
The other time? That was when the former Ole Miss golfer was an assistant coach at Florida State, before becoming the head coach at South Florida, then returning home to lead his alma mater.
"It was 2010 at FSU when we came out of nowhere to get to the Final Four," Malloy clarified as to the other time he felt like he did last week.
Pretty insightful that a veteran of coaching wars can recall only "two moments" with such confidence and clarity.
"Walking off that practice round (at Sea Island), I only told a couple of people, but I said it was going to be a special week," said Malloy, the head coach at Ole Miss since 2014 and a player for the Rebels in 1999 and 2000, serving as team captain. "Those that know me, I don't say that a whole lot, and I've had that feeling twice ever. Then they go on this run; just felt like a team of destiny."
The Rebels' lineup at the SEC Tournament consisted of seniors Tom Fischer, Cameron Tankersley, and Cohen Trolio, junior Collins Trolio, and freshman Daniel Tolf.
"They rallied around each other," Malloy said. "They had that confidence. We were thrown a couple of haymakers, with (2025 NCAA individual champion) Mike (LaSasso) leaving (in January) and then the ice storm . . . that's how our semester started. To go from that couple of pretty low moments . . . I didn't have to say a whole lot to the guys. They knew the task in front of them."
The Rebels were ready, and that became apparent all week; a long but glorious week for the program that Malloy and assistant coach Emerson Newsome continue to build.
After making it through the grind of three days of stroke play, the Rebels were in fourth place. In match play they defeated No. 5 Texas A&M, No. 1 Auburn, and in the finals got past No. 2 Florida.
"Getting this job in 2014 and knowing what we were trying to build and talking about a lot of these things, then actually doing it, it's a dream come true. Lot of highs, lot of lows. That's a part of it," said Malloy, the 2025 Golfweek Men's Coach of the Year.
"But I had an unwavering vision of what we had to do. And we're still going through it. We're not there yet. My goal is to be a perennial top five team."
And to do it at Ole Miss, his alma mater, where once he was where his players are now, it means even more.
"I love Ole Miss," Malloy said. "I love it with all my heart. That's what makes this even more special. I'm Ole Miss through and through and always will be."
Malloy was a part of winning teams during his time as a player at Ole Miss from 1999-2000, leading the Rebels to a 24th-place finish at the NCAA Championships in 1999 and an 11th-place finish at the NCAA East Regional in 2000.
This year's team still has an opportunity to do more winning for Ole Miss. And that's where Malloy says his focus is now, even though last week will always be there, and there's a new trophy to show for it.
"Proud of this group," Malloy said. "A special week."
Now there's more to come in the NCAA Tournament. The Regionals will be announced on May 6.
For updates throughout the season, follow the Rebels on X at @OleMissMGolf. Additional updates and information on the team can be found on Instagram at OleMissMGolf, on Facebook at Ole Miss Men's Golf and on OleMissSports.com.
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PRESSER | Chris Malloy - SEC Championship
Tuesday, April 28
Chris Malloy - 2025 Visit Knoxville Collegiate Preview
Wednesday, September 03
Chris Malloy - NCAA Championships Match Play Presser
Tuesday, May 27
Michael La Sasso - NCAA Championships Round Three Presser
Sunday, May 25