Men's Golf
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- jmills1@kent.edu
- Phone:
- 330-672-4629
Jon Mills officially took over the men's golf program as head coach in July 2019 after long-time head coach Herb Page announced his retirement. The former Canadian professional golfer and former Golden Flash, Mills ('02), came back to his alma mater to serve as the Associate Head Men's Golf Coach in January of 2016.
In Mills' sixth season as head coach, the Flashes claimed the 2025 MAC Championship. It marks the third conference title won under Mills and the 29th MAC Championship in program history. Reigning MAC Golfer of the Year Jordan Gilkison and MAC Freshman of the Year Isaiah Ibit were each named to the All-MAC First Team, while Bryce Reed earned All-MAC Second Team honors. Mills was named MAC Coach of the Year for the second time in his career in 2025. The Flashes were selected for the Amherst NCAA Regional, where the team made its 31st NCAA Regional appearance in program history.
After a pandemic-shortened inaugural season, Coach Mills presided over back-to-back MAC Titles in 2021 and 2022. Under Mills’ direction the Flashes have claimed MAC Golfer of the Year in both seasons it was awarded, and MAC Freshman of the Year in 2022, with a member of the blue and gold winning the individual MAC title in 2021 and 22. These honors and more earned Mills MAC Coach of the Year in 2021, adding the last missing conference award to the loaded trophy case of the former Kent State standout.
Mills was also a member of the Web.Com Tour from 2002-2015 and was on the PGA Tour from 2006-2008. Mills claimed his first professional win on the Canadian Tour in 2003 en route to becoming the leading money-winner on the Tour that year. Mills also captured two titles on the Web.Com Tour, including the 2005 Canadian PGA Championship and the 2007 Boise Open. He also qualified for three US Opens.
Mills had an exceptional career competing as a Golden Flash under Page’s tutelage. He was a two-time All-American as well as the only Kent State golfer to earn First Team All-American honors. Mills was an All-MAC performer each of his four years and was also the MAC Freshman of the Year in 1998. Mills was the medalist at the 2000 NCAA Central Regional Championship, a Kent State individual’s best-ever finish at the regional. In fact, Mills has won just about every award that the Mid-American Conference has to offer: freshman of the year, player of the year, sportsman of the year, individual MAC title, team MAC title, first-team all-conference and MAC coach of the year.
Mills also holds the record for having the second-best finish by a Kent State golfer at the NCAA Championships, placing sixth in 2001. In that same year, he earned MAC Championship medalist honors. Mills was a member of four consecutive MAC Championships teams (1998-2002) and led Kent State to an NCAA Regional title in 2001. He currently ranks second all-time in individual season scoring average (71.68), third all-time in career scoring average (72.63) and third in career top-10 finishes (26). He was inducted into the Varsity “K” Hall of Fame in 2007.
Jon graduated from Kent State with a degree in recreational management. He and his wife Megan have a son, Benjamin and a daughter, Emma.
