Dowling Announces Addition of Tanner to Coaching Staff
8/27/2026 12:00:00 PM | Women's Golf
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan women's golf head coach Jan Dowling announced today (Thursday, Aug. 27) the addition of Jack Tanner as an assistant coach.
Tanner joins the Wolverines after building a diverse background as a collegiate and professional golfer, coach and recruiter. His international playing experience, commitment to player development and familiarity with the recruiting landscape will bolster the Wolverines' program.
"From the beginning of our conversations, Jack radiated a passion for elite golf performance," said Dowling. "Not only has he competed and coached at the professional level, but his desire to become a great collegiate coach stood out throughout the hiring process. Jack also brings a wealth of international experience, both as a player and a coach, and he will work extremely hard for us. His commitment to helping elite players, learning every facet of high-level golf and his wonderful demeanor will make our team better immediately. We are so excited to welcome Jack to our program."
"I'm incredibly grateful to Coach Dowling and everyone at Michigan for believing in me and giving me this opportunity," said Tanner. "It's an honor to join a program with so much tradition and to work alongside Coach Dowling, who is so respected in our game. From anywhere in the world, you see the block M and people say, Go Blue. That's what makes Michigan such a special place. I can't wait to get to Ann Arbor, build relationships with our student-athletes and get to work. I'm really excited for what's ahead."
Tanner also gained experience as a tour caddie, working alongside PGA Tour of Australasia professionals Matias Sanchez and Lachlan Barker. The experience deepened his understanding of course management, tournament preparation and performing under pressure while providing valuable insight into helping players maximize their performance.
A native of Glenelg, South Australia, Tanner most recently competed professionally on the PGA Tour of Australasia while coaching at Adelaide Golf Studio and working in golf operations at Kooyonga Golf Club. Balancing competition with coaching provided valuable experience developing golfers of all skill levels while strengthening his understanding of the daily responsibilities required to build and support a successful collegiate golf program.
Tanner also assisted with recruiting efforts alongside the coaching staff at Kent State, helping identify Australian prospects and guide international student-athletes through the recruiting process and transition to college golf in the United States. His own experience competing internationally and studying in the United States provides a unique perspective as he mentors and recruits student-athletes from around the world.
Before beginning his collegiate career, Tanner represented South Australia in national competition and became the youngest player in the 88-year history of the Glenelg Men's Club Championship to earn medalist honors at just 14 years old.
Collegiately, Tanner competed at both South Dakota State and Memphis, recording nine career top 10 finishes. During his final season with the Tigers, he posted four top 10 finishes, highlighted by runner-up performances at the Gulf Coast Collegiate and Folds of Honor Collegiate. Prior to transferring to Memphis, Tanner twice led South Dakota State in scoring average.
Tanner earned his bachelor's degree in liberal studies from Memphis in 2024. He is certified in both TrackMan and DECADE Golf, bringing an analytical approach to instruction while blending modern technology, course strategy and relationship-based coaching to help Michigan's student-athletes continue developing on and off the course.
