At Illinois, coaching goes far beyond X’s and O’s. It’s about shaping character, fostering resolve, and building legacy on and off the field, course, or court. We wanted to go beyond the whistle with four of our head coaches: Bret Bielema (football), Shauna Green (women’s basketball), Tyra Perry (softball), and Mike Small (men’s golf). Each of these leaders brings a unique journey, a deep love for their sport, and an unwavering belief in the power of mentorship. Next in the series is Coach Small.

The interview below was condensed for length and clarity.

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What was the defining moment that made you fall in love with your sport?

I don’t know if there was one defining moment, but when I was 13 years old, I would get dropped off at the golf course in the morning and get picked up at night. It gave me a sense of independence and ownership of doing something I loved. Playing golf all day long and working to get good at something I liked was empowering and enjoyable.

What were you like as a student-athlete?

As a student-athlete I was very competitive and gritty. I wasn’t the most experienced or technically sound, but I loved to compete. I loved working hard at my sport and then going to compete and seeing the efforts pay off. This is not unlike what I am like now, so I guess this means I chose the right profession — a profession that makes me happy.

What do you think you’d be doing today if you weren’t a coach? And why?

That’s a good question. I really can’t see myself doing anything else, primarily because I don’t feel like I’ve “worked” over the years. Coaching is more of a lifestyle than a job, and that fits my personality. It fits the way I approach everything in my life. If you enjoy what you’re doing, you have a chance of doing it well. So, to answer your question, I don’t really know. Maybe something in the financial industry where score can be kept a different way.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received as an athlete or coach?

I have received tons of great advice from people in sports; I’ve been blessed that way. I’ve never shied away from asking questions or asking for advice. I’m lucky that I’ve been around many successful and positive people that can help me. A great piece of advice that I value very much is that when a decision is made, don’t rehash and second-guess yourself. Move on to the next task, and make the best decision at that time. Do not “Monday morning quarterback” yourself!

Do you have a message for Fighting Illini golf donors?

Yes, I would say a huge THANK YOU! This 25-year run we’ve been on would not have been possible without all our program’s generous friends and supporters. The financial support has been a must, and it has helped us build great resources, facilities, and budgets for our teams, but the unconditional support for the plan we had at the beginning has meant the most. Sure, we won a lot, but if that had not been the case, the Illini spirit and deep-seated support of our program would still have been there. And for that, I thank them dearly!