FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Vice President and Director of Athletics Dave Eavenson is pleased to announce that head men's golf coach Steve Conley has been named the 2025 Methodist University Thomas R. and Elizabeth E. McLean Foundation Coach of the Year on Monday. Coach Conley continues to make history as this is his fourth time (2010, 2015, 2022, 2025) winning this prestigious honor, the most all-time. 

The award, voted on by a committee made up of Methodist University faculty and staff from outside the Athletic Department, annually recognizes a head coach who has been involved in campus events and their sport's professional associations, demonstrated excellent recruitment and retention within their program, and led a team that achieved outstanding athletic and academic success during the season and throughout the school year.

In his 38th season, Conley guided Methodist to their largest comeback in program history on the national stage. Starting in 19th place after the first round, the Monarchs fought back over the final three rounds to win their 15th national title. During the 2024-25 season, Methodist won six tournaments, including four of the last five events, and finished as the top-ranked team in all of Division III.
 
During award season, Coach Conley was named the USA South Athletic Conference Coach of the Year for the 27^th time and NCAA D-III Region Coach of the Year for the 20^th time. He has also assembled a five-man squad that was recognized as All-Americans, All-Region, and All-Conference. The team was led by senior duo Haden Ruby and Chase Walts, both of whom were First Team honorees and finalists for the 2025 Division III Jack Nicklaus National Player of the Year Award. 
 
Conley will be recognized at a home athletics contest this fall.
 
Past McLean Foundation Coach of the Year Award winners:
2024 – Cheryl McNair, women's basketball
2023 – Bryan Madej, women's soccer
2022 – Steve Conley, men's golf
2021 – Keven Williams, football
2020 – David Smith, men's basketball
2019 – Tom Inczauskis, women's golf
2018 – Tom Austin, baseball
2017 – Zach Nedbalski, men's lacrosse
2016 – DeeDee Jarman, women's basketball
2015 – Steve Conley, men's golf
2014 – Justin Terranova, men's soccer
2013 – Tom Austin, baseball
2012 – Tom Inczauskis, women's golf
2011 – Duane Ross, track & field
2010 – Steve Conley, men's golf
2009 – Francie Barragan, women's tennis