Fred Warren, who turned ETSU into a household name around the golf world, retired on June 30, 2019, after 33 years at the helm of the Buccaneer Men’s Golf Program.
Following a successful tenure at Oklahoma State, where he helped guide the Cowboys to three Big Eight Conference championships and three national runner-up finishes, Warren got the call from ETSU to help restart its program in 1986.
Warren turned ETSU men’s golf into one of the most respected and well-known programs in collegiate golf. Despite restarting the program from scratch, Warren quickly built the Blue and Gold into a national power, forming an impressive resume. During his 33 years as the coach, the Bucs won 56 tournaments and 17 Conference Championships, and Warren was named Coach of the Year 12 times and twice named NCAA District Coach of the Year.
Under Warren’s guidance, ETSU made 22 NCAA Regional Appearances, produced 23 All-Americans and 24 All-American Scholars, and collected 17 Conference Player of the Year honors. In 1996, the Bucs achieved a national ranking of No. 1, finishing third in the NCAA Championship, ahead of fourth-place Stanford, led by Tiger Woods.
Warren’s impact extended beyond the golf course. Around the time ETSU men’s basketball was starting its run at four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, Warren had also built his Buccaneer squad into champions. It only took him three years for the Bucs to capture the first of 15 SoCon titles under his watch.
The community’s support and Warren’s persistence helped create the Warren-Greene Golf Center, which began construction in 2002 and was dedicated in August 2004. With planning, fundraising, vision, and support, the 3,000-square-foot facility gave the golf program a new home, complete with an exterior practice area designed by world-renowned golf architect Tom Fazio.
Warren became just the second head coach in program history and stepped away after 33 years at ETSU. After guiding the University to a No. 1 ranking, 56 tournament wins, coaching 23 All-Americans and 24 All-American Scholars, Warren unquestionably left the program better than he found it. In retirement, he has turned his attention to giving back to the community and the Appalachian Highlands region.