University of Denver Athletics

Gary Bissell enters his second season with the Pioneers in 2024-25.

In his first season at the helm, the Pioneers finished seventh in the Summit League and sophomore Jack Dozer earned All-Conference honors.

Prior to Denver, Bissell spent nine years at Grand Valley State. In his nine seasons in charge of the Grand Valley State program, Bissell was a four-time GLIAC Coach of the Year and a three-time Regional Coach of the Year, while guiding the program to 30 tournament wins, three GLIAC Championships, three NCAA Championship berths, an NCAA Regional Championship and nine NCAA Regional appearances. Bissell's players combined to win four All-America honors, 13 All-Region honors, four GLIAC Player of the Year awards and 31 All-GLIAC selections.  
 
During Bissell's other two NCAA Division II Championship appearances, the Lakers finished 16th in 2022 and 11th in 2019. Bissell got the Lakers back to the National Championships for the first time in over a decade in the 2019 season.  
 
Prior to his time at Grand Valley State, Bissell was an instructor for the Jason Guss Golf Academy at Hawk Hollow Golf Course in Bath, Michigan. Bissell played on the Florida Professional Golf Tour during the winter of 2014, two years after graduating from his playing career at Ferris State (NCAA Division II/GLIAC).  
 
In his collegiate playing career, Bissell finished with a 76.1 career scoring average and helped the Bulldogs to an NCAA Division II Midwest/Central Super Regional berth in his senior year of 2012. Prior to his time at Ferris State, Bissell earned four all-area and two all-state plaudits for the Haslett High School men's golf team. As a senior, he captained the 2006 group, which claimed the MHSAA Division II title. 

"Simply put, Gary Bissell is perfectly suited for the University of Denver as our next head men's golf coach and I am thrilled that he will be joining our Pioneer family," Berlo said. "Gary is a proven winner and is widely considered to be one of the most talented teachers in college golf. I could not be more excited to welcome him to the University and Rocky Mountain region. While at Grand Valley State University, Gary's teams demonstrated and sustained national level success, and I expect that our Pioneer men's golf program will thrive under his leadership and will build upon the rich legacy we already have here. His competitive drive and desire to win, coupled with his ability to be a mentor to his student-athletes, are the trademarks we value from all of our coaches here who are leading our Denver programs."
 
Bissell finished his ninth season at Grand Valley State in 2023  and came to Denver off back-to-back Golf Pride Grips NCAA Division II Regional Coach of the Year honors. Bissell and the Lakers won a program-record 10 tournaments, including the program's first Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) title since 2018 and their first NCAA Division II Regional Championship in program history. GVSU reached the NCAA Championship Match Play quarterfinals for the first time as a program as well, completing his final season with the Lakers ranked fifth in the country.   
 
"I am grateful for the opportunity to be the next head coach of such a prestigious program," Bissell said. "Denver golf has competed at a high level for many years and I look forward to continuing that tradition. Our men's golf team will consist of the highest character individuals to best represent the University of Denver. Thanks to Chancellor Jeremy Haefner and Vice Chancellor for Athletics Josh Berlo for the opportunity to help these young men become the best they can be." 
 
The East Lansing, Michigan, native guided rising senior Charles DeLong to the 2022-23 NCAA Jack Nicklaus Division II Player of the Year award, one of three Laker golfers to earn All-Region honors and one of five to earn All-GLIAC accolades.  
 
 
What Others are Saying About Bissell:
Casey Lubahn - Michigan State Men's Golf Head Coach
"Coach Bissell is one of the best young coaches I've been around in my career, and I'm incredibly excited for him to have this opportunity. His background as a teacher and an award-winning coach will be a great asset for all those connected with the University of Denver."
 
Jason Guss - Owner of Jason Guss Golf Academy
"Gary Bissell has proven to be one of the best coaches and teachers in the country. I can tell you firsthand the work ethic he has put into both. His success is a byproduct of his passion and dedication to all facets of the game."
 
Keri Becker - Grand Valley State University Athletic Director
"Gary deserves this opportunity at the next level. He is competitive at his core and works tirelessly to grow personally and professionally. We hired one of the best teaching pros and watched him become an amazing coach who did an amazing job building our men's golf program to compete for championships. We wish him continued success."