Press McPhaul is in his third season as the head men's golf coach at East Carolina. He was named to the position in January 2006, but did not officially assume the position until the completion of 2006 spring season in which he completed his sixth year as the head coach at Vanderbilt. During his first two seasons at ECU, McPhaul has begun to transform it back into the program that captured seven conference titles in nine years from 1987-95. Under his tutelage, the Pirates recorded their best team tournament score in school history in 2007, firing an 842 at the Mid Pines Intercollegiate and capturing their first tournament championship away from their home course since 2002. Tripp Brizendine and Warren Straub each earned All-Conference USA Freshman Team honors with McPhaul's instruction, while Andre Thorsen received second-team all-conference honors with his guidance. In six years as Vanderbilt's head coach, McPhaul led the Commodores to three consecutive NCAA Regional Tournament team births, a first in school history, and a pair of NCAA Championship Tournament showings in 2003 and 2004. In addition, the Commodores won four regular season tournaments during the McPhaul era and were ranked among the nation's best teams. Regarded as an outstanding fundraiser, McPhaul helped Vanderbilt continue to add to its outstanding facilities by overseeing the installation of the new two-acre Varsity Practice Facility at its own Vanderbilt Legends Club Course in August 2004. Recognized as one of the best recruiters in the country, McPhaul has coached student-athletes that have received four All-America and four Academic All-America selections, including Luke List who has participated in both the U.S. Open and Master's. McPhaul has also been adept at developing talent, overseeing the transformation of Brant Snedeker, who was named SEC's Golfer-of-the-Year in 2002. Snedeker was champion of the 2007 Wyndham Classic in Greensboro and was named 2007 PGA Tour Rookie-of-the-Year.
A native of Sanford, N.C., McPhaul played at North Carolina State from 1991-96. He was a member of the Wolfpack's NCAA Tournament teams which finished eighth in 1995 and won the 1996 East Regional. The 1996 co-captain also participated in three NCAA tournaments (1993, 1995, 1996). He served as an assistant coach at his alma mater from 1998-00, while also coaching the Wolfpack women's team. McPhaul is married to the former Lynn May of Farmville, N.C., and the couple has a two daughters, Anna (4) and Emma (2). |
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