July 22, 2016
THE FLATS – Drew McGee, who spent the last two years as an assistant coach at the University of New Mexico, has joined the Georgia Tech golf program as assistant coach, head coach Bruce Heppler announced Friday.
McGee, 26, will assist head coach Bruce Heppler in the areas of operations, scheduling, recruiting, academics and fund-raising. Jeff Pierce, who spent the 2015-16 year as Heppler’s full-time assistant coach, will transition into a volunteer coaching role and assist with instruction and managing the Yellow Jackets’ new Noonan Golf Practice Facility.
“We’re excited for Drew to join our program,” said Heppler, who is entering his 22nd year at the helm of the Tech program. “Drew has been involved in every aspect of the New Mexico program and has been successful in their recruiting over the past couple of years. He comes highly recommended and is highly-regarded by many of the coaches on the West Coast. He is thrilled with the opportunity to work in our program and recognizes the years of continued excellent that our program has enjoyed.
“Last fall, I made a decision to hire Coach Pierce in an effort to provide some specific skill instruction for our team. At that time, he was also working closely with several PGA Tour professionals. After reviewing this arrangement following the spring, we both decided that there wasn’t enough time for everyone to get the support they needed. With Coach Pierce moving to the volunteer role, he can still be involved in skill instruction with our team and work with players who stay behind when we are competing in tournaments.”
During his two years at New Mexico, McGee helped guide the Lobos to three tournament victories, two NCAA regional tournament appearances and a second-place finish in the Mountain West Conference Championship in 2016. Four Lobos won individual tournament titles, while five members of the team made the all-MWC team, and one was named Mountain West Player of the Year. McGee also served as co-director of the Lobo Junior Golf Camps.
“I am very excited to join Coach Heppler and the Georgia Tech golf program,” said McGee. “I am also grateful for my time at New Mexico and the chance to work with Coach (Glen) Millican. I believe that my experience there has prepared me well for this tremendous opportunity. Coach Heppler has created a tradition of success both on the course and in the classroom, and I look forward to working with him and the players to build on that success. Georgia Tech is definitely a special place and I am thankful to be here.”
Pierce, 29, a veteran professional golf instructor dating back to his college years, will now take over management of Tech’s newly-renovated practice facility at the edge of campus and next to Atlantic Station, and use the facility to tutor the Yellow Jackets’ players and his professional clients, including PGA Tour members Roberto Castro, Brooks Koepka, Derek Fathauer, Si Woo Kim and others.
“I’m excited to have Drew joining the team,” said Pierce. “The structure of our staff is new and something we’re all excited about. It will enable us to provide the best instruction possible to our players going forward. Thus blueprint will be something other programs may follow in the future.”
Prior to accepting an assistant’s position at New Mexico, McGee was head coach of the men’s and women’s teams at NAIA Northwood College in Cedar Hill, Texas, for the spring of 2014. Northwood’s teams broke two scoring records under McGee during his tenure, and the women’s team finished 10th in the 2014 NAIA Championships in Lincoln, Neb. That spring, he received the NAIA’s Champion of Character Award.
McGee began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant in 2013 at McNeese State.
McGee is a 2012 graduate of Baylor University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and was a three-year letter winner for coach Greg Priest. McGee was a member of the Big XII Commissioner’s honor roll.
ABOUT GEORGIA TECH GOLF
Georgia Tech’s golf team is entering its 22nd under head coach Bruce Heppler. The Yellow Jackets have won 16 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships, made 28 appearances in the NCAA Championship and been the national runner-up four times. Connect with Georgia Tech Golf on social media by liking their Facebook page, or following on Twitter (@GT_Golf) and Instagram. For more information on Tech golf, visit Ramblinwreck.com.
