Odessa Head Golf Coach Paul Chavez, who has guided the Wranglers to three NJCAA D1 Gold National Championships (2004, 2005, 2017) in 31 years with the program, including 26 as head coach, announced today that he will retire at the end of the 2023 season, according to the college.

Chavez is a five-time NJCAA National Coach of the Year who was inducted into the NJCAA Golf Coaches Hall of Fame in 2007. Over 121 golfers on Chavez’s teams went on to play at four-year schools, and seven are playing professionally on the PGA Tour or LIV Tour.

While guiding the Wranglers to 16 top-five finishes, Chavez can also boast academic success, with team GPA of 3.0 or better for 20 consecutive years. The 2021-22 team was named the NCAA Men’s Golf Academic Team of the Year with a 3.61 team GPA, according to OC.

Odessa College President Dr. Greg Williams said Chavez’s contribution to the college “will be acknowledged and celebrated for years to come.”

“Coach Chavez is synonymous with OC Golf, and national prominence,” said Athletic Director Wayne Baker. “The level of success attained by Paul in his 25 plus years at Odessa College will most likely go unmatched.  I appreciate his quest for excellence and his knowledge of the Permian Basin Golf community.”

Chavez thanked the college “for 31 wonderful years.”

“I am forever grateful,” he said. “The Odessa College Golf programs have become a national powerhouse, and I have been blessed to be a part of their development. Lastly, I want to thank all of my current and former players. All of you have created memories that will last a lifetime.”