Coach Bill Cochran announced his intention to step away as Rhodes head men's golf coach at the end of the 2019-20 season.  The 2019-20 season will be Cochran's 19^th year as the Lynx head coach.  "I am so grateful to have worked with coach Cochran the last two decades," said Matt Dean, director of athletics. "Bill has been a great coach and tremendous mentor for our men's golf teams and has built a nationally recognized program during his tenure. He has been the consummate pro and teammate in our department and has also worked hundreds of basketball games, serving as the voice of the Lynx. Bill is loved by his peers, his student athletes, and the Rhodes Community. I, for one, will miss his presence in our department."

Coach Cochran has established Rhodes as one of the top Men's Golf programs in NCAA Division III.  His teams have been ranked in the top-15 in NCAA Division III 11 times during his 18-year career.  The 2006-07 team finished the season ranked fourth in the nation and the 2003-04 team finished the year ranked fifth.  The men's golf team has won four conference championships under Cochran's leadership, most recently winning back-to-back Southern Athletic Association titles in 2017 and 2018.  The Lynx competed in the NCAA Division III National Championship five consecutive years from 2014 through 2018. Coach Cochran's teams have made eight overall national appearances and finished in the top-10 five times during his tenure.
 
In the spring of 2004, the Lynx shot a team score of 258 (22-under par), which stands today as the all-time low team score ever shot in college golf at any level.
 
"I want to personally thank Mike Clary for giving me the opportunity to coach at such a wonderful school, and to be associated with so many quality young men and women," said coach Cochran.  "I feel we have built an elite program at Rhodes.  Being the head men's golf coach has been a dream come true and has provided many fond memories that I will always cherish."
 
Revered by his current and former players, Cochran had two players make first team All-American, John Jennison (2006) and Joey Mayo (2016).  John Jennison was the NCAA Division III national runner-up in 2006.  Justin Palmer (2007) and Chris Harris (2016) were named second team All-Americans.  In 2015, Chris Harris was recognized as the top freshman in NCAA Division III, and was named the Phil Mickelson Award winner. 
 
Rhodes men's golf has earned GCAA All-Academic Team three times for their outstanding performance in the classroom, and numerous individual players have achieved All-American Scholar honors during coach Cochran's tenure.
 
Prior to his service at Rhodes, Bill worked for Cleo Corporation for 30+ years, where he helped build Cleo into one of the largest gift wrap companies in the world.  Bill served as Cleo's Executive Vice President for Sales at the end of his career.
 
Women's golf coach Mike Clary had this to say about coach Cochran, "Bill is one of the most respected people in the Memphis golf community.  By virtue of Bill's reputation and hard work, for the past 18 years, Rhodes men's and women's golf teams have been able to utilize the best private and public golf facilities in the Memphis area."
 
In November, Cochran will be honored with a reception at Crain Field during the Homecoming football game.
 
In the early spring, 2020, Rhodes will initiate a national search for coach Cochran's successor.