University of Tennessee Athletics
White Extends Diana Cantú’s Contract Through 2031
July 14, 2026 | Women's Golf
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Following a historic 2025-26 season featuring the first SEC Championship in program history, Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White announced that he has extended Tennessee women's golf head coach Diana Cantú's contract through the 2030-31 season.
"The transformation of our women's golf program under Diana's leadership has been extraordinary, highlighted by our first SEC championship last spring," said White. "She has elevated our program to national prominence and we are excited to continue pursuing championships on Rocky Top!"
In her fifth season at the helm of her alma mater, Cantú guided the Lady Vols to their first conference title in program history, a second consecutive appearance at the NCAA Championships, and a program record four tournament victories. Tennessee's national ranking and record have improved year-after-year under Cantú, as the Lady Vols closed the 2025-26 season with a 138-52-3 record and a No. 21 national ranking.
In addition to new heights of team success, Tennessee saw unprecedented individual success under Cantú's leadership in 2025-26. The Lady Vols had three different individual medalists, the most in one season in program history.
Madison Messimer became Tennessee's first SEC Freshman of the Year since 2003 and the program's first All-SEC First Team selection since 2016. She also earned a spot on the WGCA Division I All-Freshman Team and was named an All-American Honorable Mention by the WGCA and Golfweek.
Kyra Van Kan earned All-SEC Second Team honors, marking the Lady Vols' first season with multiple all-conference honorees since 2015. After matching Tennessee's second-best individual finish at the NCAA Championships in program history, tying for fifth place, the sophomore was named a Third Team All-American by Golfweek.
The first two All-American's of the Cantú era, Messimer and Van Kan are the first Lady Vols to earn All-American recognition since 2016.
"I am incredibly grateful to the University of Tennessee for its continued trust and support of our women's golf program," said Cantú. "Tennessee is a special place, and it is an honor to work with such outstanding student-athletes, coaches, and staff. Not to mention the best fans in the country! I am excited to continue building on the foundation we've established, competing at the highest level, and helping our student-athletes succeed both on the course and in the classroom."
Cantú is close to surpassing the 500-win mark as she enters her sixth at the helm in 2026, currently sitting at 455 wins.
"The transformation of our women's golf program under Diana's leadership has been extraordinary, highlighted by our first SEC championship last spring," said White. "She has elevated our program to national prominence and we are excited to continue pursuing championships on Rocky Top!"
In her fifth season at the helm of her alma mater, Cantú guided the Lady Vols to their first conference title in program history, a second consecutive appearance at the NCAA Championships, and a program record four tournament victories. Tennessee's national ranking and record have improved year-after-year under Cantú, as the Lady Vols closed the 2025-26 season with a 138-52-3 record and a No. 21 national ranking.
In addition to new heights of team success, Tennessee saw unprecedented individual success under Cantú's leadership in 2025-26. The Lady Vols had three different individual medalists, the most in one season in program history.
Madison Messimer became Tennessee's first SEC Freshman of the Year since 2003 and the program's first All-SEC First Team selection since 2016. She also earned a spot on the WGCA Division I All-Freshman Team and was named an All-American Honorable Mention by the WGCA and Golfweek.
Kyra Van Kan earned All-SEC Second Team honors, marking the Lady Vols' first season with multiple all-conference honorees since 2015. After matching Tennessee's second-best individual finish at the NCAA Championships in program history, tying for fifth place, the sophomore was named a Third Team All-American by Golfweek.
The first two All-American's of the Cantú era, Messimer and Van Kan are the first Lady Vols to earn All-American recognition since 2016.
"I am incredibly grateful to the University of Tennessee for its continued trust and support of our women's golf program," said Cantú. "Tennessee is a special place, and it is an honor to work with such outstanding student-athletes, coaches, and staff. Not to mention the best fans in the country! I am excited to continue building on the foundation we've established, competing at the highest level, and helping our student-athletes succeed both on the course and in the classroom."
Cantú is close to surpassing the 500-win mark as she enters her sixth at the helm in 2026, currently sitting at 455 wins.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
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