Rhodes Athletics is proud to announce the return of legendary coach Mike Clary as Interim Head Women's Golf Coach for the 2025-26 season. Clary, who retired in May 2023 after 44 years of dedicated service to Rhodes Athletics, brings an unparalleled legacy of excellence back to the program.

"We are excited to have Coach Clary as interim Head Coach for the upcoming season," said Director of Athletics Jim Duncan. "We're grateful to Mike and his wife, Nancy, for agreeing to take on the role, and it shows their unrivaled passion for Rhodes College and Rhodes Athletics. As an athletic administrator, it's not every day that you get a three-time National Championship coach to come out of retirement to take over a program, and I look forward to seeing Mike back on the golf course with our team."

Clary's return brings back one of the most accomplished coaches in history. Under his leadership, the Rhodes women's golf team captured three NCAA Division III National Championships in 2014, 2016, and 2017.

• In 2014, Rhodes led the national championship wire-to-wire, winning by 24 strokes.

• In 2016, ranked No. 1 entering the tournament, the Lynx captured their second title and set a Division III Championship team scoring record in the third round.

• In 2017, the team came from behind in the final round to win its third title in four years, with junior Nikki Isaacson finishing as the individual national runner-up. Clary was named WGCA National Coach of the Year following the historic victory.

Rhodes also claimed three consecutive Southern Athletic Association (SAA) championships from 2014–2016 and added another conference title in 2019, finishing sixth at the NCAA tournament with standout performances, including a third-place individual finish by senior Emily Salamy. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, Clary was inducted into the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016.

Beyond golf, Clary served as Director of Athletics for 26 years, during which Rhodes tripled the number of student-athletes and consistently led the Southern Athletic Association in both academic and athletic success.

Clary also made his mark in other sports:

• As Head Football Coach from 1984–1996, he became the all-time winningest coach in program history. His 1985–1990 teams compiled a 43-9-3 record, ranking Rhodes among the NCAA Division III top ten and earning three conference titles and a 1988 NCAA playoff appearance.

• He coached track and field (1980–1990), leading the 1990 team to a conference championship.

• He also served as the head swimming and diving coach from 2003–2005.

A 1977 Rhodes graduate with a degree in biology, Clary was a three-year starter in football and a member of the 1977 golf team that won the College Athletic Conference Championship. He and his wife Nancy have two children, Brian and Julie—both proud Rhodes alumni.

Rhodes Athletics is thrilled to welcome Coach Clary back and looks forward to another memorable chapter in Lynx Golf history under his leadership.