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Coach Kleiner Reflects on Recruiting, Mentorship and Building Auburn Golf

Coach Kleiner described it as a blessing to coach talented players such as Jackson Coivens and watch them advance through the ranks. Beyond their development as golfers, he values seeing young players grow, mature and leave college as men, whether they move on to the PGA Tour or pursue another path.

He said he is grateful to play a small part in each player’s success while also becoming a meaningful part of their lives.

Smylie recalled first meeting Coach Kleiner during his time at UCF and praised the hard work and consistency that have defined his career. As a recruit in Birmingham, Alabama, Smylie regularly received handwritten letters from Kleiner on birthdays and holidays. Although UCF was not initially among the schools he was considering, Kleiner’s persistence nearly convinced him to visit.

Kleiner credited his work ethic to his parents. Growing up in North Carolina, he watched his father work hard every day to give Kleiner and his brother a better life. Looking back, he recognizes how much he learned from his parents’ actions, drive and ambition.

Now in his twenty-sixth year as a head coach, Kleiner remembers his UCF years fondly. He spoke about the challenge of building that program before coming to Auburn, where his goal has been to continue the legacy left by Coach Griffin, enhance the program and positively shape young people’s lives.

Smylie also shared how close he came to becoming an Auburn Tiger. When he called Coach Griffin to say he was committing to LSU, Griffin told him he was retiring. Smylie said his recruitment might have unfolded differently if he had known Kleiner would become Auburn’s coach.

Smylie’s ties to Auburn later grew through his wife, who was a head cheerleader and homecoming queen at the school. Kleiner joked that marrying an Auburn woman was the best decision Smylie ever made.

Kleiner described Auburn as a special place with a tight-knit community, a strong family atmosphere and a vibrant food scene. He added that raising his daughters there has been a fantastic experience for his family.