Jamie Bermel

Hometown: Washington, Iowa Position: Head Coach Alma Mater: Central College, '86

Jamie Bermel, who has guided the Colorado State men's golf program to 12 NCAA Regional appearances in the last 13 years, has been named Kansas head men's golf coach, KU director of athletics Sheahon Zenger announced July 3.

Bermel (pronounced Bur-mal) comes to Kansas from CSU where he was the head coach since the 1999-2000 season. He guided the Rams to NCAA golf regionals each of the last six seasons dating back to 2007 while the 2011 CSU squad advanced to the NCAA finals.

Under Bermel, Colorado State won 18 tournament titles and recorded more than 35 top-five finishes. Included were the 2008 and 2010 Mountain West Conference team championships. A six-time conference coach of the year, including three-time Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year (2004, 2008, 2010), Bermel coached 10 all-conference performers at Colorado State, including two All-Americans, seven All-American scholars and seven academic all-conference honorees.

No stranger to the Midwest, Bermel coached two seasons at Iowa State from 1997-99, where he guided the Cyclones to the 1999 NCAA Tournament and nine top-five finishes. Before ISU, he spent five seasons as head golf coach at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. While at Drake, his team won the 1997 Missouri Valley Conference championship and twice qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 1996 and 1997 with the 1997 team advancing to the NCAA finals. Bermel was a three-time Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 1995, 1996 and 1997.

In his years as a collegiate head coach, Bermel has helped develop the games of a number of players who have moved on to the next level. Included is 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson, who played for Bermel at Drake. Others include former Iowa State standout Jason Knutzon who currently plays on the Asian and European tours and Martin Laird, a Colorado State standout now competing on the PGA Tour and finished tied for 11^th at last week's AT&T National in Washington, D.C.

Bermel is a 1986 graduate of Central College in Pella, Iowa, and received his master's degree from Purdue University in 1988. From 1989-91, Bermel worked in recreational sports at the University of Michigan and moved to a similar role at Drake, adding the men's golf coaching duties in Feb. 1992.

Bermel and his wife, Jacque, have three children: Emily, Jack and Charlie. Jamie's brother John is the men's and women's golf coach at the University of Northern Iowa while also serving as the head pro at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

What Others are Saying...
Kansas Director of Athletics Dr. Sheahon Zenger
"We have found an incredible coach to lead our men's golf program. Jamie led his team to 12 NCAA appearances in the last 13 years. That's a great track record and one that we will be happy to bring to the University of Kansas. I am excited about the future of Kansas men's golf and encourage all Jayhawks to welcome Jamie and his family."

PGA Tour Pro, Master's Champion and former Drake golfer Zach Johnson
"Jamie Bermel is the epitome of a coach. He knows golf, works tirelessly on recruiting quality kids, loves to compete, stresses academics, and builds character into the men he coaches. Jamie puts an abundant amount of energy into his job while still keeping his priorities of life in line. He is a family man through and through. I am confident he will become an integral part of the Jayhawk family and elevate the golf program the right way, with integrity and hard work."

PGA Tour Pro and former Colorado State golfer Martin Laird
"He's a great guy. The fact that I still count him as one of my good friends and still talk to him a lot as a past player - and I know Zach Johnson is the same - says a lot about a coach. I've been gone eight years now and still call him one of my good friends. He always looked out for his players. They were his number one concern. It's a huge thing to know as a college athlete that your coach has your back.

"The one thing I'd say that stands out about him is that he's a winner. He's not someone that accepts mediocrity. He's going to try to get the best out of his team that he can, and he's going to work as hard as he can to do that.

"He was great when I first came over, I didn't know anyone. I was a 17-year-old kid from Scotland and he was really really good - made sure I was comfortable and taken care of and happy where I was. Over the four years I was there I got real close with him and he helped me develop into the player that I am today. There are a lot of things he used to get on us about and teach us about that I still use today and remember today. He obviously knows what he's talking about. I had a great four years at CSU and he made it enjoyable and made me feel welcome. I'm sure it will be the same at KU."

University of Northern Iowa Head Golf Coach John Bermel
"I think his resume speaks highly of his credentials. Every quality high school player has dreams of playing on the PGA Tour. When you look at what Coach Bermel has done with the players that have played for him, it is unbelievable. When a No. 3 man at Drake University can win a major championship, that says a lot itself. Coach Bermel has two players on the PGA Tour that are winning out there and competing at the highest level on the best tour in the world.

"Every place that Coach Bermel has coached the teams have been competitive, not only in the conference but in the country. Coach Bermel gets the maximum out of every player that plays for him and gives each and every player the opportunity to compete at the highest level. Coach Bermel knows enough about the swing to help any player when they are struggling on the course. He will increase the chance for the University of Kansas to be able to compete at the highest level."