INSIDE COVERAGE: WILSON PREPARES TO COACH FIRST OVC TOURNAMENT By Corey Adams Coaching changes are never easy in athletic programs. It can feel like starting over again, especially when it occurs midway through a season, as players adjust to a new coaching approach. In November, Robbie Wilson was sworn in to become head coach for Austin Peay men's golf, replacing former head man Kirk Kayden and later interim coach Dustin Korte. Three different coaches in less than a year takes adjusting to an entire different level for players. But since taking over, Wilson has helped preserve good chemistry between himself and a talented group of players, which is the most important part of the coaching process. "Coming in halfway through the year, there were some changes made," Wilson said. "But overall, I started to form relationships with the guys. It's tough on everybody coming in right in the middle of a season, so my first point of business was to form relationships with the players and take it from there." One definition of "coaching" is simply supporting a learner in achieving a specific personal goal. It's not just a position in which orders are given. Coaching is about providing advice and guidance, mentoring an athlete to have a successful career. Now that Wilson has seen the guys come together and respond to his method of teaching, the confidence between the two sides is strong. "A lot of what you do in golf is forming trust and making sure these guys are given every opportunity they need to succeed," he said. "I think we've done that at this point and the guys are really progressing." Wilson, who spent eight years at Trevecca prior to APSU, has been aware of Austin Peay and its men's golf program for many years. As a young adult, Wilson could be found teeing it up at the local Clarksville Country Club alongside former Governor players. With the rich history of the program, which includes seven Ohio Valley Conference Championships, there are certainly high expectations for Austin Peay year after year. But instead of dwelling on the past, Wilson has his team motivated for 2015 and beyond with intentions of leaving a new stamp in the history book. "The tradition of the program is very important to me," Wilson said. "I know the golf community in Clarksville really rallies around the team and the program. These guys understand the history, but they want to write their own tradition. We want to build on what we have and not just have our program live up to what we've had in the past, but maybe exceed those expectations." It all starts this Friday in Muscle Shoals, Ala., site of the 2015 OVC Tournament. Led by senior Tucker Wallace, the Govs have built some momentum going into the event after shooting 4-under as a team at the Coca Cola Wofford Invitational. Wilson is excited to see Wallace perform in his final OVC Tournament, but more importantly, hopes to see all five players peak at once. Individually, the Govs have had great rounds, including a record-setting 61 by junior Chris Baker. But at this point, Wilson wants his team to take a deep breath and play relaxed rounds of golf. "It's just another tournament for us," he said. "I think the more you build up something like this, the effect can be somewhat dangerous. You want these guys to come out like they have each and every week. A consistent approach is much better than an approach where you put too much pressure on an event. We've done the same things as every week in the season, with no more emphasis placed on this week than any other." | 
