Cornell Signs Contract Extension

After a season filled with record-setting performances by Husker men's golfers, Head Coach Judd Cornell earned a three-year contract extension announced by Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen on Thursday, June 18.

"Coach Cornell has elevated the level of our golf program in his first four years as our head coach, and we are excited Judd will continue to lead Nebraska Golf on its upward trajectory," Dannen said. "We have made commitments to our golf facilities that have helped our golfers succeed at higher levels on the course. We believe the commitment to our coaches and facilities will help our program compete with the top teams in the Big Ten and contend for NCAA Regional appearances on a regular basis."

Cornell, who completed his fourth year leading the Nebraska men's golf program, led the 2025-26 Huskers to a school-record 285.18 team stroke average and an eighth-place finish at the 18-team Big Ten Conference Championship. NU's stroke average represented a 3.20 strokes per round improvement over the previous school record of 288.38 set in 2024-25. It marked the third consecutive season that the Big Red set a school record under Cornell, beginning with a 290.66 average in 2023-24. 

Since Cornell's first season leading the Huskers in 2022-23, Nebraska's team stroke average has plummeted by 8.57 strokes per round. 

"Nebraska is an extremely special place, and I'm honored and humbled to continue leading this program," Cornell said. "The support from our fan base and alumni has been incredible. We have built a strong foundation, but our goals remain much bigger. We are committed to competing for championships and making Husker Golf a program that consistently performs at the highest level. Troy Dannen has a great vision for the entire department that I really appreciate. I am very thankful for Troy and Alex Harris for their support. I am also very thankful for all the players in our program, and the culture and standard they have created. I couldn't ask for a better group of guys."

Nebraska's growth under Cornell showed through the individual performances of several Huskers, including 2026 NCAA Regional qualifier Rudy Sautron. Nebraska's first-ever first-team All-Big Ten golfer, Sautron set the school record with a 70.27 stroke average in 2025-26. The PING All-Midwest Region selection, who began his career at NCAA Division II Cameron University, tied for 25th at the NCAA Marana Regional.

Jackson Benge showed even greater improvement in his second season under Cornell's tutelage. The sophomore out of Omaha Westside put up the third-best stroke average in school history (71.76) by slashing 3.97 strokes per round off his freshman season average (75.73). Benge was Nebraska's top finisher at the 2026 Big Ten Championship, taking 13th for his eighth top-25 individual finish of the season.

The Huskers return Benge along with Caden Mickelson (Kansas City, Mo.), who set the Nebraska freshman stroke average record (72.14) over 37 rounds. The Big Red also bring back Evan McDermott for his fifth season, after being a consistent performer in the lineup the past two seasons. Other Huskers to watch in 2026-27 include James Ackerman (Leawood, Kan.), Lincoln Southeast High School graduates Thomas Bryson and Gavin Gerch, and incoming Nebraska junior golf stars Tommy Kelley (Creighton Prep) and Jaxson Hinze (York). 

The 2026-27 Husker men's roster will have the most Nebraska high school graduates since the 2010-11 season when the Big Red featured Lincoln Southwest grads Mike Coatman, Brett Sundberg, Austin Zimmerman along with Jordan and Josh Reinertson from Gibbon.

Cornell, who was a four-year letterwinner at Nebraska (2003-06), was a member of Nebraska's 2006 NCAA Regional team. A three-year captain, Cornell was the 2004 Nebraska Amateur of the Year. He served as an assistant at Nebraska for six seasons (2013-19), including his final two years as associate head coach, before becoming the head coach at Creighton for three successful seasons (2019-22).