NORMAN, Okla. — Dalton State men's golf head coach Ben Rickett has been named a NAIA finalist for the 2026 Dave Williams Award presented by Golf Pride Grips, the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) announced. The award honors the national coach of the year across multiple collegiate levels, including the NAIA.
 
Rickett earned the recognition after guiding the Dalton State Roadrunners to another championship-caliber season, highlighted by five wins in their last seven tournaments and a three-tournament winning streak entering the NAIA Men's Golf National Championship. Dalton State is currently ranked No. 3 in the NAIA Men's Golf Coaches Poll.
 
During the Roadrunners' late-season surge, Dalton State captured its fourth consecutive Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Championship on April 15, winning by five strokes. The Roadrunners also won the Roadrunner Classic by 14 strokes on March 31 and the BMCU Spring Classic by six strokes on March 24.
 
Earlier in the season, Dalton State added wins at the Music City Collegiate (five strokes, Oct. 7) and the Bojangles Intercollegiate (one-stroke, Oct. 19), further establishing the Roadrunners as one of the NAIA's top programs.
 
Dalton State has been led throughout the season by All-SSAC honorees Scott Frisby, John Brady Knight, Tyler Latimer, and Ben McFadden. McFadden was named SSAC Player of the Year, while Frisby earned SSAC Freshman of the Year honors.
 
Rickett was also named SSAC Coach of the Year for the fourth straight season and the eighth time in his career. He is now a Dave Williams Award finalist for the sixth consecutive year, continuing a run of national recognition for both him and the program.
 
The other NAIA finalists include Stephen Main (Missouri Valley), Brandon Miller (Keiser), Evans Nichols (Reinhardt), and Blake Trimble (Oklahoma City).
 
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For over seven decades, we've been the global leader in golf grip innovation and technology, from the invention of the slip-on grip to groundbreaking advancements in cord with our new Brushed Cotton Technology (BCT®) to the introduction of the hybrid category of grips. Today, Golf Pride® has laid claim to more major wins than any other grip company. More than 80% of Tour professionals choose to play our grips and not one is paid to do so. And in this age of multi-million dollar endorsement deals, that's the strongest endorsement of all. So, whether you're a Tour pro playing a major, a rising amateur, or an everyday golfer, you can rest assured knowing you're playing the #1 Grip in Golf. To learn more about Golf Pride®, go to golfpride.com.
 
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