University of Illinois Springfield

"Enjoyed my time playing for him. Got better as a player and a person "

"This coach has a complete churn and burn recruitment strategy, retaining less then 40% of her freshman through their senior year over her tenure as Head Coach. Plan on hitting the portal. And if you don't hit the portal, don't count on any player development. This is an authoritarian coach that hides behind a "team family" facade. She substitutes manufactured socialization activities for actual team chemistry. She pathologizes questions about playing time, has no clear metrics for meritoriously earning a spot on the team. There is more emphasis on "energy" and "communication" than softball mechanics. The energy and communication boils down to serving as good cheerleaders for the players she puts on the field, who coincidentally are those who most vocally and faithfully echo her every misguided sentiments. The athletes have no autonomy, micromanaged with 40 defensive plays transmitted on digital devices that substitute detailed instruction for critical thinking. She maxes her on-field conferences in nearly 50% of the games, with 25% of her games being double conference innings. Her game times are consistent anomalies as she spends more time on the field weaponizing the rule book, presumably because she has to win on procedure and not skill. Freshman rarely make it to graduation, but the year over-year annual retention rates hover around 60%. Portal players are prioritized over homegrown players and inexperienced (eager to please) freshman play over tenured players who have developed a voice and opinion on play. In 2026 Guthrie has consistently started 6 players who are new to UIS this season, 3 freshman and 3 transfers. While athletes were have previously earned All-Conference honors in those positions now sit on the bench. This environment does not embody the "Life in Balance" approach in the NCAA DII Strategic Plan, and I would not recommend this coach to my worst enemy."

"Was under this coach when he was an assistant coach at UIS before he took his head coaching role. He had his moments back then including anger. What made me distrust him the most was his favoritism towards new athletes. I was a legacy player which he 'inherited' as an assistant coach. I really didn't matter much to him although I was trying to fight for my place in the team just as much as anyone. I ended up just ignoring him whenever possible, however his anger would rear its head at times. He would throw these little tantrums like a toddler which was bizarre even for a 22 year old to witness. After reading the comments from former players (more recently), it saddens me that their collegiate career has been scarred because of Mike. Karma finally came for him and that makes me feel good."

"My experience with this coach was extremely disappointing. I found the environment to be very challenging, and it was disheartening to witness and endure behavior that was discriminatory and emotionally abusive. Has anger issues and is not mentally fit to be a golf coach anywhere. It deeply affected me, and I’m glad I am transferring to a more supportive environment. "

"Played under him at his previous school and his unprofessionalism and unhinged behavior led to his firing. Don’t know why he’s been able to keep a head coaching job for so long. "