James Wilkes will return to Villanova for his 17th season with the program and 15th as head coach in 2026-27.
The winningest coach in Villanova golf history, Wilkes has pushed the Wildcats to unprecedented success as the program's leader.
In 2025-26, Wilkes coached the team to a pair of victories at the Big 5 Invitational and the Wildcat/Fazio Invite as well as nine individual top five finishes.Â
Wilkes has coached players to the first ever BIG EAST Freshman of the Year in Villanova history, the only two All-BIG EAST First Team selections and a VU Male Senior Student-Athlete of the Year.
Prior to his elevation to head coach in February 2011, Wilkes spent two seasons as VU's first assistant when he was responsible for short game instruction, fitness and scheduling.
Wilkes, a 1996 Villanova alum, was elected as a member of the Alpha Epsilon Delta Honor Society during his years as a student. After receiving his degree in biology, Wilkes began his professional life as a lab technician at a pharmaceutical plant in Horsham, Pa., where he specialized in carbohydrate chemistry.
Deciding to follow his love for the game, Wilkes began his career as a club professional in 1998. He has served as an assistant golf pro at Twining Valley Golf and Fitness Club and has also worked at the PGA National Golf Resort and Blue Bell Country Club, where he spent four years as head golf professional.
Currently, Wilkes is an elected member of the Professional Golf Association of America and is on the golf professional staff at LuLu Country Club in Glenside, Pennsylvania.
Wilkes, who resides in North Wales, Pa., has also been involved with numerous junior golf programs at LuLu, Blue Bell and Twining Valley golf clubs and has worked as an instructor for the local LPGA chapters in addition to the Kids on the Hill charity.
In 2001, Wilkes' contributions to the community were recognized as he was honored with the prestigious Brosius Award in 2001 for his community service involvement.Â
Wilkes was also named one of the Top 50 Kid Teachers by U.S. Kids Golf from 2010-2012 and was named a Master Kids Teacher in 2013. In addition to his other involvements in the sport, Wilkes served as director of the local U.S. Kids Golf Tour and has been a tour director for several regional and world championships for the organization.
In recognition of his area contributions, the PGA Philadelphia Chapter honored Wilkes with the Junior Golf Leader award in both 2009 and 2010.
