Men’s Golf Head Coach John Knauer has lived golf.  Before coming to UTSA in 2008, Knauer was an assistant coach for the Arizona Wildcats, a national golf power.

Knauer recently sat with the Paisano to talk about golf and life. 

What is the best part about being a coach at UTSA?

I think it is the chance to build my own program within a growing athletic department.  Something new is happening here every day, and it is exciting to be a part of it.

When did you decide to become a coach?

Going into college I had a chance to play golf at Division III schools or go to Texas A&M.  I thought I was going to be a business tycoon but I was struggling.  I changed majors and let the doors open.  I was able to get an internship as an assistant at A&M and then that grew into a paid assistant coach at A&M.

When not coaching the Roadrunners, what do you do?

There is not a lot of time off from golf, but when I do have time off, I spend time with my two little girls.  I spend any time off at home.

What would you do if you couldn‘t be a coach?

I have thought about that.  I don’t know what I would do; this job is a 24-hour-a-day job.

Who is the biggest influence on you?

Coach Bob Ellis.  He gave me my start; he helped me get in as a coach.  Rick LaRose at Arizona treated me from day one like I was a head coach; I won an award for assistant coach of the year thanks to coach LaRose.

What is the moment in sports you are most proud of?

While I was at Arizona we made the 2000 National Championship tournament at Auburn University.  We made the cut by two strokes.  We weren’t really in the running for the title, but we shot 19 under par and finished in third place with two freshmen on the team.