Grand Valley State head men's golf coach, Gary Bissell, announced today that he is resigning his post to become the head men's golf coach at the University of Denver. Bissell most recently completed his ninth season at Grand Valley State where he guided the Lakers to a program-best, fifth-place finish at the NCAA Championships.
 
"Gary deserves the opportunity to lead a program at the next level," said GVSU Director of Athletics Keri Becker. "He is competitive at his core and works tirelessly to grow personally and professionally. We hired one of the best teaching pros and watched him become an amazing coach, who did an amazing job building our men's golf program to compete for championships. We wish him continued success," added Becker.  

Bissell was named the 2023 Golf Pride Grips NCAA Division II Region Coach and the GLIAC Coach of the Year as he led the Lakers through their most successful season in program history. GVSU won a program record 10 tournaments, including their first GLIAC title since 2018 and then went on to capture the programs first NCAA Regional title. Additionally, GVSU advanced to the NCAA Championships Medal Match Play quarterfinals for the first time in the program, capping off the season ranked. Bissell tutored Charles DeLong who captured the 2022-23 NCAA Jack Nicklaus DII Player of the Year, First-Team All-American honors and the GLIAC Player of the Year award. Nick Krueger was also and All-American and he and Drew Coble earned all-region honors and a total of five golfers earned All-GLIAC plaudits.
 
Bissel was named the 2021-22 Golf Pride Grips NCAA Division II Region Coach of the Year after leading the Lakers to the NCAA Championships where they finished 16th. GVSU won two tournaments during the season and were the GLIAC Tournament runner-up. The Lakers earned several postseason awards, as Charles DeLong was an All-American and All-Region selection, and Nick Krueger joined him on the All-Region team. Additionally, DeLong, Krueger, Drew Coble, and Eric Nunn all earned All-GLIAC honors, with DeLong taking home the GLIAC Golfer of the Year award.
 
"It is of course bittersweet to be moving on from a place I have called home for a decade," said Bissell. I am so proud of the young men we have had in this program, and I will continue to enjoy watching them grow from afar. Thank you Laker Nation for helping a young head coach grow up in such a great environment."
 
Grand Valley State will begin a search for the next head coach of the golf program immediately.