Erik Taurence was announced as the new head men's golf coach in July 2019 and just finished his second season as head coach in 2020-21.
Taurence guided his team during the COVID-19 shortened season to see junior James Hill capture a pair of two Horizon League Player of the Week accolades.
In his first season as a coach - which was shortened due to the pandemic - the Titans won two individual championships - the first time that has occurred since 1998-99 - the team had a runner-up finish and posted one of the best 18 and 36-hole scores in team history. Jonathan Brillati won his first collegiate tournament at the Bucknell Fall Invitational, while Anthony Occhiuto won the NKU Collegiate Classic with a school-record 204 (68-69-67).
In finishing second at the Bucknell Fall Invitational, the Titans shot a tournament-best 280 in the final round and finished in second place with a 574 (294-280). The 574 stands as the third-lowest 36-hole tournament mark in school history and the lowest since 2008, while the final-round 280 is tied for the seventh-best round in the record book and the best since 2010.
"Erik is an enthusiastic, bright coach, who was a leader for his program during his playing days and then gained valuable experience as a coach as an assistant," said Director of Athletics Robert C. Vowels, Jr. said at the time of his hiring. "He has been a winner as both a player and a coach and I believe he will be a great asset for our men's golf program."
"I am very excited and honored to take over the men's golf program here at the University of Detroit Mercy," said Taurence. "I know we have a lot of talent in the program and I look forward to helping the student-athletes get the most out of their games."
Taurence has spent the previous couple of years working at his alma mater, Madonna, first as a graduate assistant coach and then as an assistant coach in 2018-19. In his time as a coach, Madonna won the 2017 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference title and posted its best-ever finish in the NAIA national tournament tying for 13th place.
He also helped coach Justin Pahl to WHAC Co-Player of the Year and the first All-America selection in Madonna golf program history.
Taurence earned four varsity letters for the Crusaders and was a part of two conference championships that went on to play in the NAIA championships. As a senior, he was named the Sister Rosemary Kujawa Leadership Award winner, given to one male in the athletic department displaying the best leadership qualities on and off the playing surface.
"I'm looking forward to the fall season starting up here soon, and I know the players are eager as well. Thank you so very much to Robert Vowels Jr. and athletic department for this opportunity," added Taurence.
He earned a Bachelors in Criminal Justice from Madonna in 2014.
