“Coach, you are on a roll for developing such great players AND quality kids." --- Jim Nantz Broadcaster, CBS Sports "The golf program at UNLV played a big part in my golf educa- tion, helping me to prepare for life on Tour. Great facilities to use, great competition to play in and great friends made. I look back at my time at UNLV and have great memories. UNLV is a part of the journey that I am on and taught me so much. I am a proud Rebel!" --- Adam Scott Former UNLV golfer and current PGA Tour star "Coach Knight is an incredible short game instructor and he has a vast knowledge of the game of golf. One of the things he constantly emphasized was the importance of the finishing holes in every tournament. I can't even begin to count how many times his words rang true, with the finishing holes making the differ- ence between winning and losing." --- Ryan Moore Former UNLV star, current PGA Tour golfer and Ryder Cup Champion "If a young golfer has the dream of playing on the PGA Tour, there is no better place to play college golf than UNLV. Dwaine Knight will help you learn what it takes to be successful at the next level." --- Hank Haney Leading golf instructor "I couldn't be where I am today without the program at UNLV and Coach Knight. Coach worked with me from the start and helped me with my short game and I saw immediate improvements. I still almost exclusively work with Coach on my short game. UNLV was the perfect university to go to for helping me get to where I am now in my career." --- Chad Campbell Former UNLV golfer and current PGA Tour player "Coach Knight has the ability to keep the putting process very simple and his teaching sessions are always a positive experi- ence. No matter where you are with your putting stroke, he can bring you around to a comfortable stroke that you can trust. He took me from an average putter entering college to a putting stroke which has allowed me to earn a living on the PGA Tour. I respect Dwaine for his willingness to work with all levels of golf- ers; he is a true teacher of the game." --- Charley Hoffman Former UNLV golfer and current PGA Tour player Coaching Staff two-time National Coach of the Year and 2002 GCAA Hall of Fame "I am very proud of what we have accomplished at UNLV in my time here," inductee, Dwaine Knight has been the driving force behind the tremen- Knight said. "I can remember the first time we qualified for nationals (in 1989) and Adous success of Rebel Golf since his arrival in Las Vegas in the fall of how excited we were just to make it there. Now I feel that we have moved to the 1987. next level where our players expect to go to nationals and are ready to compete Knight, who is in his 33rd season at the helm of the UNLV men’s golf for the national championship every year. program, has nurtured Rebel golf from near-anonymity to one of the premier “Winning our three national titles (one team in 1998 and two individuals in programs in the nation. In 1998, he guided the Rebels to their first-ever NCAA 1991 and 2004) has been a dream come true for myself and the school. We felt crown in Albuquerque, N.M. that as a team we had been a serious contender prior to winning it all, and to Knight has taken the Rebels to an unprecedented 22 trips to the national get over the top really legitimized our program. Winning those championships is finals and coached them to 11 top-eight finishes. Additionally, he has led his team a reflection of the outstanding young men that we have had in our program and to a current NCAA-record 31 straight appearances at the NCAA Regionals. all of the hard work and effort they have given through the years, both on and off Under his tutelage, the Rebels earned their first-ever No. 1 ranking in 1993 the golf course." and following the 1997-98 season, the team finished No. 1 in the nation in all Since Knight came to UNLV, 11 of his players have gone on to play on the polls. PGA TOUR. Seven of those are still active and have combined for 29 PGA Tour A true teacher of the sport, Knight has tutored 47 All-Americans at UNLV, titles, including Adam Scott's win at the 2013 Masters. a National Player of the Year, a National Freshman of the Year, a U.S. Amateur Knight came to UNLV from the University of New Mexico, where he served Champion, three U.S. Public Links as the head coach from 1978-87. Eight of his players earned All-American honors Champions, four Walker Cup participants and 14 were tabbed All-WAC. He led the Lobos to a league crown in 1979 and a and eight Palmer Cup representatives. fifth-place finish at the NCAA Championships that same year. In all, he led New Additionally, three former Rebel golfers have gone on to play for the U.S. in KNIGHT’S COACHING HONORS the Ryder Cup. 2017 -- Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year Knight has captured three 2012 -- ESPN Radio 1100 Sportsperson of the Year national titles (one team champi- 2009 -- So. Nevada Chapter PGA Golf Professional of the Year onship and two individuals), has Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame Inductee won eight conference cham- 2008 -- 1998 National Championship Team Inducted, pionships (including a recent UNLV Athletics Hall of Fame 2005 -- Golf Coaches Association of America streak of three straight) and District VIII Coach of the Year has developed 87 all-con- 2004 -- Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame Inductee ference players. Since 2002 -- Golf Coaches Association of America Hall of Fame 1998, Knight has helped Southern Nevada Golf Hall of Fame Inductee 17 Rebel golfers earn Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year the All-America 1998 – Golf Coaches Association of America National Coach of the Year Scholar award and 1998 – Golf Coaches Association of America four have been District VIII Coach of the Year named Academic 1998 – Golfweek Magazine’s National Coach of the Year All-Americans. 1998 – Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year 1997 – Captain, United States Palmer Cup Team 1994 – West Team Coach, NCAA East vs. West All-American Matches 1992 – United States vs. Japan All-Star Matches 1991 – Golf Coaches Association of America National Coach of the Year 1991 – NCAA District VIII Coach of the Year 34 1989 – Co-Big West Coach of the Year 1981 – NCAA District VII Coach of the Year 1979 – Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year Dwaine Knight Mexico to eight appearances in the national finals, That's where the real credit goes." including two top-10 finishes. An accomplished golfer in his own right, Want to honor Knight? Well, join the club. The Knight played four seasons at New Mexico only two-time winner in the '90s of the GCAA National (1966-69) and played on the 1967 team that Coach of the Year award (1991 and 1998), Knight won the WAC championship and placed ninth at was also proclaimed Golfweek National Coach of the nationals. Year in 1998, earned Coach of the Year honors at the Knight then spent five years (1972-77) on conference level five times (1979, 1989, 1998, 2002 the PGA Tour, winning his first tournament -- the and 2017) and at the district tier four times (District Southwest PGA Championship -- as early as his VII in 1981, District VIII in 1991, 1998 and 2005). He second season. After leaving the tour, Knight has been inducted to four Halls of Fame - the GCAA, replaced Dick McGuire as New Mexico's head the Southern Nevada Golf Association, the Southern coach in 1978. Knight remains a member of the Nevada Sports and the Las Vegas Golf. In 2008, his Professional Golfers Association. 1998 National Champion squad was inducted into Knight and his wife Debbie have a daugh- the UNLV Athletics Hall of Fame, then in 2016 it was ter, Keely. inducted into the SNSHOF, and in 2009 Knight was named the Southern Nevada Chapter's PGA Golf Professional of the Year. He was also named the 2012 Sportsperson of the Year by ESPN Radio in Las Vegas. As its honoree, he was extremely active in charitable efforts benefitting the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation and The Caring Coach Knight and his wife, Debbie. Place. He reached the pinnacle of coaching hon- ors during the summer of 1997 when he was chosen as the United States' captain for the inaugural Palmer Cup. "It was a real honor to be thought of so highly by your peers," Knight said of his selection as captain. "But it's a real reflection on the type of players we've had and the support we've received from the university and the Las Vegas community. Captain Knight helped lead the United States Team to a Palmer Cup Victory in 1997. Coach Knight was recognized at halftime of a Runnin' Rebel game for being ESPN Radio's Sportsperson of the Year in 2012. As its honoree, he was extremely active in charitable efforts benefitting the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation and The Caring Place. Serving as caddy for former Rebel great Warren Schutte at the Knight is in his 33rd year leading the Rebel program. 1993 Masters, Knight He is pictured here with former Rebel All-American, got to see one of his current PGA Tour star and Ryder Cup Champion Ryan pupil's dreams come 35 Moore.