The University of Illinois Springfield Athletics Department announced that Michael Leotta has been named the new head golf coach for the Prairie Stars men's and women's teams. Leotta is a former UIS assistant coach, and was the head coach at Wittenberg University for two seasons.
 
"I am really excited for the opportunity to return to where I started my coaching career and lead the golf programs here at UIS," said Leotta. "I want to thank Roy Brown, Ken Parsons, and the entire search committee for their time and effort during the search process. Can't wait to get started!"

"We are thrilled that Michael is returning to the UIS golf program," said Interim Director of Athletics Roy Brown. "Michael played a role in the early stages of our golf teams at the NCAA level, and helped build the foundation for the success we are having today. It is only fitting that one of Frank Marsaglia's assistant coaches returns to continue his legacy."
 
Leotta was an assistant for the Prairie Stars from 2013-16. He helped the men's team advance to two GLVC Match Plays at the conference tournament. He also assisted in coaching Talon Supak, the first UIS men's golfer to win the NCAA Regional Tournament, advance to the NCAA national Championships, and to be named an All-American.
 
On the women's side, Leotta helped UIS advance to the 2016 NCAA Regional Tournament, the first appearance in program history for that squad. That 2016 team also finished third at the GLVC Championships.
 
Leotta left UIS for the 2016-17 season, and became the assistant women's coach at Fresno State University. He helped that team finish fourth in the Mountain West Conference Tournament, and coached one individual who qualified for the NCAA Regional.
 
Leotta was next the head coach men's and women's golf coach from 2017-2019 at Wittenberg University. He led the men's team there to two top-10 national finishes in the NCAA Division III National Tournament with an eighth-place showing in 2018 and a sixth-place finish the next year. He won two conference championships, and was named the 2019 conference and region Coach of the Year. Leotta was also a finalist for the Dave Williams Golf Pride National Coach of the Year honor.
 
On the women's side at Wittenberg, the Tigers were runner-up in each of their conference championship events under Leotta. He also coached the program's first four-time first-team All-American for one season, and helped her finish third as an individual at the 2018 national championships.
 
Wittenberg two golf teams won a combined 15 tournaments, and had eight individual wins in his time in Ohio.
 
Leotta was the first assistant Golf Professional at the Illini Country Club from 2005-2016, and chaired the junior golf program at that course with an annual enrollment of 125 kids. The PGA Certified Professional is currently a teaching professional in the Springfield area.
 
Leotta earned his bachelor's degree from Illinois State University in 2003, majoring in history and minoring in political science.