College Golf: Fetcho cherishes opportunity to return home

There are two things that mean the most to Justin Fetcho. Family & Home.

The one time SIU men's golf coach that led the Salukis to a Missouri Valley Conference Championship in 2016 and 2019 is returning to Carbondale, the Eldorado native told The Southern Illinois LOCAL Media Group Thursday morning.

After 10 months working with the Florida State men's and women's golf program, each advancing to the National Championships, Fetcho finds himself in a position he knows doesn't happen very often."

My heart calls for home," Fetcho said in an exclusive interview. "My wife Amanda and I obviously both grew up in southern Illinois and most people don't have the opportunity to home and we get to do it twice."

Fetcho has two boys, Paxton and Porter with the oldest, Paxton starting kindergarten this upcoming school year. In Fetcho's words, he's looking for stability.

"It was a tough decision to make in my professional career, but personally, this is what I know I need to do. I want life to be normal for them. I want to be able to grow up around their family. And I can say personally, I don't see myself going anywhere else."

Fetcho was first hired by SIU in 2015 and was named Coach Of The Year in 2016 and 2019.

As Director Of Golf for the Salukis, he will continue to coach the men's program. Fetcho said the intent is to hire a women's head coach and an assistant for both programs.

Also on the agenda is a practice facility that Fetcho hopes to break ground on soon.

"(SIU athletic director) Matt Kupec has shown a strong commitment to the golf programs and wants to invest in them and be successful," Fetcho said. "As far as the practice facility, it's important to have things like that for recruits and resources. It's part of the reason why we were so successful at Florida State and I want to bring that reality to SIU.

"My work ethic is going to be just as strong, if not stronger than it was before, and my intent is to make this program as successful as it can be."

A press conference to introduce Fetcho is planned for Friday morning at 11 a.m. SIU will live-stream the event on social media.

Spyder Dann covers prep and college sports for the Southern Illinois LOCAL Media Group. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.