Three Head Coaches Receive 2-Year Contract Extensions
Aug 29, 2019 | Athletics
MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State Director of Athletics Gene Taylor announced contract extensions for several head coaches on Thursday afternoon (August 29), including fourth-year women's soccer coach Mike Dibbini, sixth-year men's golf coach Grant Robbins and 18th-year women's rowing coach Patrick Sweeney.
Each head coach received a two-year contract extension through the 2022-23 season.
"All three of these head coaches are tremendous representatives of K-State and have their programs trending upward," Taylor said. "Coach (Grant) Robbins and the men's golf team are coming off a terrific year and in good position for another this season, while Coach (Mike) Dibbini and his staff are starting to build some momentum following the opening of Buser Family Park and several solid recruiting classes, and Coach (Patrick) Sweeney continues to put together a competitive rowing team each and every year. And even more importantly, all three of these programs are led by head coaches who emphasize success not only in competition, but also in the classroom and being role models in the Manhattan community."
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Head Coach Mike Dibbini
While building the women's soccer program from the ground up, Dibbini has led K-State to a 14-33-7 record, in this, the program's fourth season of existence. In 2017, he guided the Wildcats through their first official Big 12 season, posting a 6-11-1 overall record and a 1-8 mark in league action and included their first All-Big 12 selection in All-Freshman Team member Hannah Davis. Last season, the team registered a 4-12-2 mark, which was highlighted by the first three-match winning streak to open a season.
The Wildcats are currently off to a 0-1-1 start and host their debut at Buser Family Park at 7 p.m., CT on Thursday (August 29) against Arkansas State (0-1-0) in the start of two-game homestand, which concludes at 1 p.m., CT on Sunday against South Dakota State (2-0-0).
The program has enjoyed notable success off the pitch, totaling 27 Academic All-Big 12 selections, including a program-best 14 in 2018, and has 15 Big 12 Academic All-Rookie Team recipients in their first three seasons.
"Despite the challenges of starting a program from scratch, in one of the best conferences in the country, we are feeling optimistic about the direction we are heading," said Dibbini. "Our administrative leadership are in full support to keep growing it the right way and their loyalty and belief means so much to the program, the staff, and me. I want to thank President (Richard) Myers, Director of Athletics Gene Taylor, Deputy Athletic Director Jill Shields and sport administrator (Executive Associate AD) Lindsey Babcock for their support of our soccer program. I also want to thank my staff and players for their work in continuing to build our program brick by brick. My family and I are so blessed to be at Kansas State, and a part of this great community. I am honored to have the opportunity to continue being at the helm of this program."
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Head Coach Grant Robbins
A veteran head coach with three Coach of the Year awards to his credit in two different conferences, Robbins has steadily built K-State into a program on the rise as he enters his sixth season in 2019-20.
His Wildcats are coming off a stellar 2018-19 campaign, in which, a record three individuals (Jake Eklund, Jeremy Gandon and Roland Massimino) qualified for NCAA Regional play, while the team shattered program marks for lowest stroke average (286.5) by more than three shots and set a school record for team rounds of par or better (18). K-State finished 61st in the final Golfstat rankings, which was the second highest in program history, and was the first team out of the NCAA Regional selections. The Wildcats also captured their first tournament title since 2012 at the Mission Inn Spring Spectacular in March, which was one of five top-5 finishes in the spring.
Robbins was instrumental in the development of Gandon, who currently plays professionally on the Mackenzie Tour (formerly known as PGA Tour Canada). Gandon was the Big 12's individual medalist at the 2018 Championships and is the program's all-time career leader in stroke average.
Robbins' team also continued their excellence in the classroom in 2018-19, as a Big 12-best five golfers, including all three Regional qualifiers, were named as Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholars by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA). Honorees, among other criteria, must be juniors or seniors academically, have a stroke average under 76.00 and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2. All five were also selected to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team, which was the second-most among all Big 12 schools.
Robbins has seen student-athletes garner 21 Academic All-Big 12 honors the last five seasons, including 17 First Team selections in the last three seasons alone.
"I'm extremely grateful to (Director of Athletics) Gene Taylor, (Deputy AD) Jill Shields and (Executive Associate AD) Casey Scott – all of our administration – for their faith in me," said Robbins. "This program has a lot of momentum right now, we've come a long way in the last five years. We still have a ways to go to achieve the goals and vision that I have for this program, but we've achieved some momentum and I'm thrilled that I'm able to continue my time here."
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Head Coach Patrick Sweeney
One of the longest-tenured head coaches at K-State, Sweeney has more than 40 years of international and collegiate coaching experience, including stints with the British and Belgian Olympic teams.
Inspired after the tragic loss of senior coxswain Samantha Scott, who passed away on October 27, 2018, the Wildcats assembled an impressive 2019 campaign on the water, as the team finished third among Big 12 affiliated schools at the Big 12 Championship, where two boats brought home medals. K-State also swept the Sunflower Showdown against rival Kansas, winning each of the five races to outscore the Jayhawks 22-0, won five medals at the SIRA Championships and four medals at the Sunshine State Invitational during the spring race season. For their response to the passing of Scott, the team was named the 2018-19 Big 12 Sportspersons of the Year.
In addition to their outstanding efforts on the water, the team excelled in the classroom and in the community. The team charted 414 hours of community service, including work with Cats in the Classroom, Cats for Cans, Tip Off for TP and National Girls and Women in Sports day, among others. Academically, the Wildcats continued their excellence by placing 25 individuals on the Academic All-Big 12 team, while senior Molly Ross was awarded Big 12 Co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors.
Academic excellence has been a hallmark of Sweeney's tenure, as 108 student-athletes have earned the CRCA National Scholar-Athlete Award since 2006 to go along with 211 Academic All-Big 12 selections since 2011. Fifteen student-athletes have received the Dr. Gerald Lage Academic Achievement Award, the Big 12's highest academic honor, since 2011, including 2019 recipients Nikole Cain and Kaylin Edwards.
"I would like to thank (Director of Athletics) Gene (Taylor) and (Executive Associate AD) Lindsey (Babcock) for their continued investment in the program," said Sweeney. "The dedication of the coaching staff and of all the support services surrounding the rowing team continue to elevate the student-athlete experience and competitive performance each year. In my time here, I am proud to see how the department has continued to meet the needs of our rowing team and provide our student-athletes with every possible opportunity to grow as both students and young adults. Ultimately, the athletes I have worked with in the past, the present and the future is what makes this job enjoyable. I'm looking forward to more years with this program."
Each head coach received a two-year contract extension through the 2022-23 season.
"All three of these head coaches are tremendous representatives of K-State and have their programs trending upward," Taylor said. "Coach (Grant) Robbins and the men's golf team are coming off a terrific year and in good position for another this season, while Coach (Mike) Dibbini and his staff are starting to build some momentum following the opening of Buser Family Park and several solid recruiting classes, and Coach (Patrick) Sweeney continues to put together a competitive rowing team each and every year. And even more importantly, all three of these programs are led by head coaches who emphasize success not only in competition, but also in the classroom and being role models in the Manhattan community."
#####
Head Coach Mike Dibbini
While building the women's soccer program from the ground up, Dibbini has led K-State to a 14-33-7 record, in this, the program's fourth season of existence. In 2017, he guided the Wildcats through their first official Big 12 season, posting a 6-11-1 overall record and a 1-8 mark in league action and included their first All-Big 12 selection in All-Freshman Team member Hannah Davis. Last season, the team registered a 4-12-2 mark, which was highlighted by the first three-match winning streak to open a season.
The Wildcats are currently off to a 0-1-1 start and host their debut at Buser Family Park at 7 p.m., CT on Thursday (August 29) against Arkansas State (0-1-0) in the start of two-game homestand, which concludes at 1 p.m., CT on Sunday against South Dakota State (2-0-0).
The program has enjoyed notable success off the pitch, totaling 27 Academic All-Big 12 selections, including a program-best 14 in 2018, and has 15 Big 12 Academic All-Rookie Team recipients in their first three seasons.
"Despite the challenges of starting a program from scratch, in one of the best conferences in the country, we are feeling optimistic about the direction we are heading," said Dibbini. "Our administrative leadership are in full support to keep growing it the right way and their loyalty and belief means so much to the program, the staff, and me. I want to thank President (Richard) Myers, Director of Athletics Gene Taylor, Deputy Athletic Director Jill Shields and sport administrator (Executive Associate AD) Lindsey Babcock for their support of our soccer program. I also want to thank my staff and players for their work in continuing to build our program brick by brick. My family and I are so blessed to be at Kansas State, and a part of this great community. I am honored to have the opportunity to continue being at the helm of this program."
#####
Head Coach Grant Robbins
A veteran head coach with three Coach of the Year awards to his credit in two different conferences, Robbins has steadily built K-State into a program on the rise as he enters his sixth season in 2019-20.
His Wildcats are coming off a stellar 2018-19 campaign, in which, a record three individuals (Jake Eklund, Jeremy Gandon and Roland Massimino) qualified for NCAA Regional play, while the team shattered program marks for lowest stroke average (286.5) by more than three shots and set a school record for team rounds of par or better (18). K-State finished 61st in the final Golfstat rankings, which was the second highest in program history, and was the first team out of the NCAA Regional selections. The Wildcats also captured their first tournament title since 2012 at the Mission Inn Spring Spectacular in March, which was one of five top-5 finishes in the spring.
Robbins was instrumental in the development of Gandon, who currently plays professionally on the Mackenzie Tour (formerly known as PGA Tour Canada). Gandon was the Big 12's individual medalist at the 2018 Championships and is the program's all-time career leader in stroke average.
Robbins' team also continued their excellence in the classroom in 2018-19, as a Big 12-best five golfers, including all three Regional qualifiers, were named as Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholars by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA). Honorees, among other criteria, must be juniors or seniors academically, have a stroke average under 76.00 and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.2. All five were also selected to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team, which was the second-most among all Big 12 schools.
Robbins has seen student-athletes garner 21 Academic All-Big 12 honors the last five seasons, including 17 First Team selections in the last three seasons alone.
"I'm extremely grateful to (Director of Athletics) Gene Taylor, (Deputy AD) Jill Shields and (Executive Associate AD) Casey Scott – all of our administration – for their faith in me," said Robbins. "This program has a lot of momentum right now, we've come a long way in the last five years. We still have a ways to go to achieve the goals and vision that I have for this program, but we've achieved some momentum and I'm thrilled that I'm able to continue my time here."
#####
Head Coach Patrick Sweeney
One of the longest-tenured head coaches at K-State, Sweeney has more than 40 years of international and collegiate coaching experience, including stints with the British and Belgian Olympic teams.
Inspired after the tragic loss of senior coxswain Samantha Scott, who passed away on October 27, 2018, the Wildcats assembled an impressive 2019 campaign on the water, as the team finished third among Big 12 affiliated schools at the Big 12 Championship, where two boats brought home medals. K-State also swept the Sunflower Showdown against rival Kansas, winning each of the five races to outscore the Jayhawks 22-0, won five medals at the SIRA Championships and four medals at the Sunshine State Invitational during the spring race season. For their response to the passing of Scott, the team was named the 2018-19 Big 12 Sportspersons of the Year.
In addition to their outstanding efforts on the water, the team excelled in the classroom and in the community. The team charted 414 hours of community service, including work with Cats in the Classroom, Cats for Cans, Tip Off for TP and National Girls and Women in Sports day, among others. Academically, the Wildcats continued their excellence by placing 25 individuals on the Academic All-Big 12 team, while senior Molly Ross was awarded Big 12 Co-Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors.
Academic excellence has been a hallmark of Sweeney's tenure, as 108 student-athletes have earned the CRCA National Scholar-Athlete Award since 2006 to go along with 211 Academic All-Big 12 selections since 2011. Fifteen student-athletes have received the Dr. Gerald Lage Academic Achievement Award, the Big 12's highest academic honor, since 2011, including 2019 recipients Nikole Cain and Kaylin Edwards.
"I would like to thank (Director of Athletics) Gene (Taylor) and (Executive Associate AD) Lindsey (Babcock) for their continued investment in the program," said Sweeney. "The dedication of the coaching staff and of all the support services surrounding the rowing team continue to elevate the student-athlete experience and competitive performance each year. In my time here, I am proud to see how the department has continued to meet the needs of our rowing team and provide our student-athletes with every possible opportunity to grow as both students and young adults. Ultimately, the athletes I have worked with in the past, the present and the future is what makes this job enjoyable. I'm looking forward to more years with this program."
K-State Rowing | Media Day
Tuesday, February 24
K-State Rowing | Weights Practice
Tuesday, February 24
K-State Tennis | Weekend Recap vs Old Dominion & Minnesota
Tuesday, February 24
K-State Track and Field | Sights & Sounds Steve Miller Invitational
Monday, February 23
