Rhodes College Athletics

Bill Cochran begins his 19th year (2019-20) as head coach of the Rhodes College men's golf program. Prior to his arrival at Rhodes, he retired from a very successful 38-year business career with Cleo Wrap Inc. in Memphis. In August, Cochran announced his retirement from Rhodes.

Cochran has brought a new atmosphere to Rhodes College golf. The men’s golf team has been ranked in the top-25 NCAA Division III National Rankings in 15 out of the past 17 years. The program has participated in the NCAA Championship in 2006 finishing eighth, 2007 sixth, 2014 13^th, 2015 20^th, 2016 ninth, 2017, eighth and 2018 17th.

The Rhodes team also holds the collegiate record for the lowest score ever posted by four players in collegiate golf. In 2004, at Camp Lejeune North Carolina, on their Scarlet Course, Rhodes posted scores of 63, 65, 65, 65 = 258 (22-under par).

The highest year end ranking came during the 2006-2007 season when the team finished ranked fourth. In 2016-2017 the team finished with a ranking in the No. 6-slot nationally and the Lynx finished last season ranked 21st.

Cochran was selected as the Southern Collegiate Athletic Association (SCAA) Coach of the Year for that 2006-07 season, and the new Southern Athletic Association (SAA) Coach of the Year for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.  The team won their fourth Conference Championship under Coach Cochran this past year.

 “I feel that we have become one of the elite programs in Division III Golf”, said coach Cochran. “Our goal is to win that NCAA Division III Golf Championship.”

Coach Cochran literally grew up in the game of golf. His father was considered one of the best amateur players in the world for many years, and participated in the Masters, and on the United States Walker Cup Team. His father’s career had him competing against Bryon Nelson, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus. Coach Cochran is a graduate of St. Louis University, where he played collegiate golf, and was a strong amateur player.

He is a certified teaching golf professional with the United States Golf Teachers Federation. He works for the Tennessee Junior Golf Tour and teaches advanced Junior Golf Camps during the summer months. He also gives private lessons to several players in the area.

Coach Cochran has five children, four boys and a girl, plus eleven grandchildren. One of his sons, Bobby Cochran, is a PGA Tour Professional.