GALESBURG, Ill. — Justin Newell, the Vice President and Director of Athletics at Knox College, today announced the hiring of Preston Roth as the new head coach for the Prairie Fire men's and women's golf program.

"I am beyond excited to welcome Preston Roth as our new head men's and women's golf coach," Newell said. "Throughout the search process, Preston consistently demonstrated the level of care and commitment he will bring to both programs. Knox has a proud history of excellence in golf, and I believe Preston is the right person to reignite that tradition. His addition marks another important step toward a bright and competitive future for all Prairie Fire athletic teams."

For the past year, Roth served as a graduate assistant coach for the men's and women's golf teams at East Texas A&M University, a Division I school in Commerce, Texas. He was responsible for day-to-day operations including practice, travel, tournament preparations, budget management, developing practice plans and skills development. The Lions' women tied for second at the Southland Conference Championship, while the men placed fifth out of 11 teams.

Roth's first coaching experience came as an assistant women's basketball coach at his alma mater, Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. Among his duties during his five-year stint (2019-24) with the team were assisting with the development of the coaching curriculum, practice plans and players' individual and collaborative skills, along with day-to-day operations such as team travel, scouting, budgeting and fundraising.

A native of Rathdrum, Idaho, Roth has also caddied at the Coeur d'Alene Resort in Idaho since 2016, plus took on duties as the director of outside operations there during the 2022 calendar year. At various times, he also managed the golf caddie program and collaborated with the resort executive to manage workflow and day-to-day operations.

"I would like to thank Justin Newell and the rest of the search committee for giving me this opportunity to become the next men's and women's golf coach at Knox College," Roth stated. "I am excited to continue the success of the men's program, as well as build the women's program to where I know it can be."

Roth graduated from Whitworth in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology. He is currently working toward his master's in health, kinesiology and sports studies from East Texas A&M.