University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Golf
Sliman, Theo
Theo Sliman
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- tsliman@louisiana.edu
- Phone:
- (337) 482-6130
Theo Sliman began his tenure as the head golf coach of the Ragin' Cajuns on July 1, 2008 after inheriting the program from legendary coach Bob Bass.
In 15 seasons at UL, Sliman has seen five golfers earn spots into the NCAA Regionals as well as team berths in 2012 and 2023. In his career at his alma mater, Sliman has guided 21 Cajuns to All-Sun Belt and All-Louisiana honors with 15 players earning All-America Scholar recognition.
The 2023 squad made its first-ever trip to match play at the Sun Belt Conference championships after entering the event as the No. 10 seed. Led by freshman Malan Potgieter and sophomore Eli Ortego, Sliman's team finished tied for third overall in stroke play before posting a pair of dramatic 3-2-0 victories over South Alabama and Georgia Southern to earn the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Championships.
Sliman's squads have posted the three lowest team scoring averages since 1993, including a school-record low 292.52 scoring average in 2018-19. The 2018-19 season saw the Ragin' Cajuns post school-records for eagles (17) and par 5 scoring average (4.8265) while posting the second-best marks in par 3 scoring average (3.2042) and rounds of par or better (11). Individually, junior Micah Goulas was named Newcomer of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association while junior Jack Tolson earned Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar honors.
His 2014-15 squad posted four top-5 finishes on the year, while senior Louis Kelly claimed the individual title at the Miramont Invitational. Haraldur Magnus collected All-SBC accolades for the second straight season giving Sliman an All-Conference performer in all seven seasons at the helm.
In 2013-14, Sliman guided the Cajuns to a tournament championship at the Sam Hall Intercollegiate, and saw Fernando Cruz Valle become the second player under his tutelage to earn Sun Belt Freshman of the Year honors. Cruz Valle joined Magnus on the All-Sun Belt and All-Louisiana lists.
The 2012-13 season was one of the best for Sliman as he saw his team earn a berth into the NCAA Tournament participating in the Greensboro Regional. The squad posted a third place finish at the Sun Belt Championships and had the second highest Golfstat ranking in the state and third highest in the conference.
Under his guidance, Philipp Fendt became the first Cajuns golfer to be named the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and was the first person to be tabbed all-conference in three straight seasons since 2002. Fendt also became the first Cajun under Sliman to earn All-Ping Region Team honors in 2011.
In 2011-12, Sliman saw both Fendt and Noto qualify for the NCAA Tournament as individuals after earning both All-Sun Belt and All-Louisiana honors.
The Cajuns won outright at the Carter Plantation Invitational in 2009, while also placing fourth at the Sun Belt Tournament later that season. Fendt went on to earn his first ever appearance as an individual into the 2010 NCAA Regionals later that season.
In his first season as head coach in 2008-09, Sliman won his first event in the Mean Green Invitational. The Cajuns also captured the team title at the 2009 Red Wolf Classic, one of nine tournaments that UL finished in the top-five. It was also the first of four seasons that Sliman would send an individual to the NCAA Regionals with senior Devin Carrey earning the berth into the tournament.
Academically, Sliman’s teams have excelled in the classroom seeing 34 golfers named to the Sun Belt Honor Roll and 12 to the Sun Belt Commissioner’s List in six seasons. The Cajuns have posted a team GPA of 3.0 or better in the last three seasons under Sliman. Both Fendt and Noto were named Cleveland All-American Scholars during the 2012 season, while Fendt also earned the honor in 2011.
No stranger to Lafayette, Sliman graduated from Louisiana in 2003 and was a four-year letterman, earning All-Sun Belt honors as a senior. He was also named team captain for his senior season.
Upon graduation, Sliman worked as an assistant professional at both Squirrel Run Golf and Country Club and Le Triomphe Country Club.
He also competed professionally on the Adams Professional Golf Tour, NGA Hooters Tour and the PGA/Nationwide Tour. Sliman played in over 50 professional events across the United States and South America. He participated in two Louisiana Open tour stops, held annually at Le Triomphe – one of the Cajuns host facilities.
Born and raised in Acadiana, Sliman graduated from Catholic High in New Iberia. He is the son of Teddy Sliman, who was head golf coach of the Ragin' Cajuns from 1984-87 and currently serves as owner and head professional at Sugar Oaks Golf Club in New Iberia. He and his wife, Mary, have two sons, Drew and Grant, and a daughter, Katherine Elizabeth.
In 15 seasons at UL, Sliman has seen five golfers earn spots into the NCAA Regionals as well as team berths in 2012 and 2023. In his career at his alma mater, Sliman has guided 21 Cajuns to All-Sun Belt and All-Louisiana honors with 15 players earning All-America Scholar recognition.
The 2023 squad made its first-ever trip to match play at the Sun Belt Conference championships after entering the event as the No. 10 seed. Led by freshman Malan Potgieter and sophomore Eli Ortego, Sliman's team finished tied for third overall in stroke play before posting a pair of dramatic 3-2-0 victories over South Alabama and Georgia Southern to earn the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Championships.
Sliman's squads have posted the three lowest team scoring averages since 1993, including a school-record low 292.52 scoring average in 2018-19. The 2018-19 season saw the Ragin' Cajuns post school-records for eagles (17) and par 5 scoring average (4.8265) while posting the second-best marks in par 3 scoring average (3.2042) and rounds of par or better (11). Individually, junior Micah Goulas was named Newcomer of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association while junior Jack Tolson earned Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar honors.
His 2014-15 squad posted four top-5 finishes on the year, while senior Louis Kelly claimed the individual title at the Miramont Invitational. Haraldur Magnus collected All-SBC accolades for the second straight season giving Sliman an All-Conference performer in all seven seasons at the helm.
In 2013-14, Sliman guided the Cajuns to a tournament championship at the Sam Hall Intercollegiate, and saw Fernando Cruz Valle become the second player under his tutelage to earn Sun Belt Freshman of the Year honors. Cruz Valle joined Magnus on the All-Sun Belt and All-Louisiana lists.
The 2012-13 season was one of the best for Sliman as he saw his team earn a berth into the NCAA Tournament participating in the Greensboro Regional. The squad posted a third place finish at the Sun Belt Championships and had the second highest Golfstat ranking in the state and third highest in the conference.
Under his guidance, Philipp Fendt became the first Cajuns golfer to be named the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and was the first person to be tabbed all-conference in three straight seasons since 2002. Fendt also became the first Cajun under Sliman to earn All-Ping Region Team honors in 2011.
In 2011-12, Sliman saw both Fendt and Noto qualify for the NCAA Tournament as individuals after earning both All-Sun Belt and All-Louisiana honors.
The Cajuns won outright at the Carter Plantation Invitational in 2009, while also placing fourth at the Sun Belt Tournament later that season. Fendt went on to earn his first ever appearance as an individual into the 2010 NCAA Regionals later that season.
In his first season as head coach in 2008-09, Sliman won his first event in the Mean Green Invitational. The Cajuns also captured the team title at the 2009 Red Wolf Classic, one of nine tournaments that UL finished in the top-five. It was also the first of four seasons that Sliman would send an individual to the NCAA Regionals with senior Devin Carrey earning the berth into the tournament.
Academically, Sliman’s teams have excelled in the classroom seeing 34 golfers named to the Sun Belt Honor Roll and 12 to the Sun Belt Commissioner’s List in six seasons. The Cajuns have posted a team GPA of 3.0 or better in the last three seasons under Sliman. Both Fendt and Noto were named Cleveland All-American Scholars during the 2012 season, while Fendt also earned the honor in 2011.
No stranger to Lafayette, Sliman graduated from Louisiana in 2003 and was a four-year letterman, earning All-Sun Belt honors as a senior. He was also named team captain for his senior season.
Upon graduation, Sliman worked as an assistant professional at both Squirrel Run Golf and Country Club and Le Triomphe Country Club.
He also competed professionally on the Adams Professional Golf Tour, NGA Hooters Tour and the PGA/Nationwide Tour. Sliman played in over 50 professional events across the United States and South America. He participated in two Louisiana Open tour stops, held annually at Le Triomphe – one of the Cajuns host facilities.
Born and raised in Acadiana, Sliman graduated from Catholic High in New Iberia. He is the son of Teddy Sliman, who was head golf coach of the Ragin' Cajuns from 1984-87 and currently serves as owner and head professional at Sugar Oaks Golf Club in New Iberia. He and his wife, Mary, have two sons, Drew and Grant, and a daughter, Katherine Elizabeth.
| Team Championships under Theo Sliman | |
| Year | Event |
| 2023 | Argent Financial Classic |
| 2023 | Sun Belt Conference Match Play |
| 2017 | Lake Charles Toyota Invitational |
| 2014 | Moe O'Brien Match Play |
| 2013 | Sam Hall Intercollegiate |
| 2010 | Carter Plantation Intercollegiate |
| 2009 | Red Wolf Classic |
| 2008 | Mean Green Classic |
| Team Top 2 Finishes | |
| Year | Event |
| 2021 | 36th Louisiana Classics |
| 2018 | David Toms Intercollegiate |
| 2015 | Sam Hall Intercollegiate |
| 2013 | Memphis Intercollegiate |
| 2011 | Kansas Invitational |
| 2010 | Sam Hall Intercollegiate |
| 2009 | Kansas Invitational |
| 2009 | Louisiana Classics |
| 2009 | Carter Plantation Intercollegiate |
| 2008 | Roadrunner Intercollegiate |
Theo Sliman Media Availability (Mar 4, 2024)
Monday, March 04
Head Coach Theo Sliman Media Availability (Mar. 6, 2023)
Monday, March 06
Ragin' Cajuns Legacy Series: The Sliman Golf Family
Wednesday, March 27
34th Annual Louisiana Classics (Day 2)
Tuesday, February 26
