May 29, 2012
Tom Shaw and Vanderbilt will part ways after his six years as Vanderbilt’s head men’s golf coach. Shaw remains under contract until June 30.
“I am very proud of the progress that we made over my time at Vanderbilt,” Shaw said. “I am leaving the program in great shape and am grateful to the fine young men that came to Vanderbilt seeking excellence in the classroom, on the course, and in the community. I will always be one of their biggest supporters and I know they will take Vanderbilt to great heights in the future. I appreciate Vice Chancellor David Williams giving me the opportunity to coach in the SEC and work at a prestigious institution such as Vanderbilt.”
Vanderbilt Vice Chancellor David Williams called Shaw a man of character.
“Tom Shaw represented Vanderbilt with distinction and we are most appreciative of his work,” Williams said. “He understood Vanderbilt’s commitment to academics and sportsmanship, and during his six years his teams consistently achieved 3.0 or better grade point averages. We were very proud of the class with which his teams competed and represented our university. We wish Tom the very best.”
Assistant Coach Dusty Smith will lead the program during the transition as a national search gets underway for a new coach. Associate Director Rod Williamson will coordinate that process.
Shaw’s teams produced some of the school’s best marks, including won-loss records and scoring averages. In six years Commodore teams won three tournament championships, had five individual champions and advanced to postseason play three times, including the NCAA Championship in 2007. He coached two All-Americans and four Academic All-Scholars during his six years. Shaw also attracted some top student-athletes to Vanderbilt, indicated by his strong past and future recruiting classes.
