Men's Golf | 8/21/2026 10:00:00 AM

WARRENSBURG, Mo. – After 40 years of storied service to the University of Central Missouri Mules Golf program, longtime head coach Tim Poe announced on Friday, August 21, that he will retire following the completion of the Mules' 2026-27 season.

Poe, who is entering his 37th season as the head coach of the Mules and his 40th year with Central Missouri golf, has built Mules Golf into one of the top programs in all of NCAA Division II Men's Golf.

"This has been an incredible venture for my family and me, to say the least, over the last 40 years. To be given the opportunity to stay at your Alma Mater right out of college and continue my career at a place that I love and that has meant so much to me is something very few get the opportunity to experience," Poe said.

He has led the Mules to 15 MIAA Championships, including six straight from 1997 to 2002, eight NCAA Division II Regional Titles, and five NCAA Division II Individual Regional Championships.  In addition, Poe coached former Mules All-American and UCM Athletics Hall of Famer Sam Migdal to the 2015 NCAA Division II Individual National Championship.

Under Poe's leadership, the Mules have made 32 straight NCAA postseason appearances and qualified for the NCAA Division II Men's Golf Championships 16 times.

In his storied tenure as head coach, Poe has produced 105 All-MIAA conference players, 38 PING All-Region selections, 27 PING All-Americans, eight MIAA Players of the Year, one All-Nicklaus Team Award winner (Justin Yoder, 2010), and one NCAA Elite 90 Award winner (Ian Barnes, 2021). Poe was selected as the 2010 NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year after leading the Mules to a runner-up finish at the NCAA-II Men's Golf Championships in Noblesville, Ind. He has been named the MIAA Coach of the Year 15 times and is a 10-time NCAA Division II Regional/District Coach of the Year honoree.

He was selected to coach the prestigious United States Palmer Cup team at The Stanwich Club in Greenwich, Conn., in 2011, becoming the first Division II coach to be named to the position. His Team USA defeated Team Europe, 13-11, in the competition.

"UCM, Warrensburg, and the many fans and supporters who have been so loyal to Mules Golf and me has been incredibly humbling. This is certainly the reason that I have been so proud to represent the Cardinal and Black and the best Division II program in the country," Poe added.

Central Missouri has also excelled in the classroom under Poe's watch. To date, UCM has earned five GCAA All-America Team Scholar Awards, and 15 Mules have garnered GCAA Individual All-American Scholar accolades.

"Under Coach Tim Poe's leadership, Mules Golf has achieved unprecedented success on the national stage, setting a standard of excellence. Yet, as impressive as his championship resume is, Tim's true legacy lies in the hundreds of lives he has impacted, mentored, and guided into successful young men," UCM Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Matt Howdeshell said. "While his passion for UCM is unmatched, his impact on Central Missouri Athletics will endure forever. We wish Tim and Rhonda the absolute best in a well-deserved retirement."

A native of Keokuk, Iowa, Poe graduated from UCM in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in graphic arts technology/management with a minor in photography. As a member of the Mules Golf team, he was a team captain in his junior and senior years and a two-time All-MIAA and All-NCAA District 5 selection. As a senior, he qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championships in Columbus, Ga.

Following his collegiate career, Poe turned professional and became the assistant golf pro at UCM's Keth Memorial Golf Course (now Mules National Golf Club), before being named to the position of head golf professional and men's head golf coach the summer of 1990.

In his professional career, Poe won three tournaments and qualified for a Ben Hogan tour event and two Nike tour events (both now known as the Korn Ferry Tour). He has been a member of the Professional Golfers' Association of America since 1990.

Poe was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2022 and the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) Hall of Fame in 2016. In addition, he received the Labron Harris Sr. Award presented by the PGA and GCAA in 2022.

Tim and his wife, Rhonda, have two children and four grandchildren.

"To the incredible athletic staff and university as a whole, I can't thank you enough for the years of passion that you have given to this awesome place, and continue to show what it means to be a Mule and Jennie. To the late Jerry Hughes for trusting someone with little experience and giving me the opportunity, and to Matt Howdeshell for continuing that trust, I thank you both. Most importantly, to all of my players, there are not enough words and time to express how I feel about you. I love you all," Poe said.

University of Central Missouri Athletics will launch a national search for the next Mules Golf head coach at a later date.