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Air Force Names New Head Golf Coach George Koury to take over the reigns
May 9, 2002 Capt. George Koury has been named head men's golf coach at the Air Force Academy effective June 1, according to Director of Athletics Col. Randy Spetman. Koury replaces Gene Miranda who is retiring after 28 years. "It is a bittersweet day for Falcon athletics," Spetman said. "Gene has given us so much during his career and he will be missed. We're very excited that George is here and ready to continue the rich tradition in golf. George helped build our program as a player and now he can continue it as the head coach." Koury has been an assistant coach for the golf program for the past three years, working primarily with the junior varsity program. He graduated from the Academy in 1993 with a degree in engineering mechanics. Koury was a four-year letterwinner in golf and was selected as team most valuable player his senior year. "I feel very fortunate to be given the opportunity to serve as the head coach," Koury said. "I was blessed with the opportunity to play for Coach Miranda here at the Academy and over the last three years see from the inside how he has developed such a successful program. I hope to continue his tradition of succeeding on the course and producing great young men to become the future leaders of the Air Force." Miranda served as the junior varsity coach for three years (1968-71), before taking over the job as the varsity head coach in 1971, coaching from 1971-1983. He held that position until he retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel in 1983. After taking five years off, Miranda returned in 1988 and has been the head coach since.
"I have been coaching golf at the Academy for 28 years and I can't stand the guilt of keeping the best job in the Air Force to myself," Miranda said. "It's time to let someone else have the experience and fun that I have had coaching the best young men in the country, and they couldn't have chosen a better person than Coach Koury."
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