Cullen Carstens Named Associate Head Coach
Dec 06, 2022 | Men's Golf
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Kansas State head men's golf coach Grant Robbins announced on Tuesday that Cullen Carstens, who has 12 years of collegiate coaching experience, has been hired as the new associate head coach.Â
Carstens returns to Manhattan, where he previously served under Robbins from 2014 to 2017 as an assistant coach. Most recently, Carstens was the head coach of the North Alabama men's golf program from 2017 to 2021. He replaces Rob Murray, who was named the head coach at Long Beach State on November 14.
"We are excited that Coach Carstens will be coming back to Manhattan as our associate head coach," said Robbins. "His familiarity with our program and his recent success as a Division I head coach made him the ideal person to help lead our program. He is a coach with tremendous passion and energy, and his ability to connect with young players will be immensely valuable. I can't wait to start working with him and get ready for the spring season."
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Carstens oversaw North Alabama's transition to Division I and led the Lions to their first team championship in 2019, before winning another during the 2021 fall season.
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"Manhattan truly became a home during my time here from 2014 to 2017, and I've remained close to Grant over the years. I knew that if the opportunity to return to K-State ever presented itself, I'd love the chance to come back," said Carstens.Â
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Before his first stint at K-State, Carstens spent time as an assistant coach at both Jackson State and Oklahoma State. He gained professional experience as a caddy for Peter Uihlein on the European Professional Golf Association and European Challenge Professional Golf tours. In addition, Carstens caddied at the 2011 Transitions Championships, 2011 AT&T National and the 2012 Puerto Rico Open PGA Tour events.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Carstens played collegiately at Missouri Baptist University. He was named an NAIA Academic All-American in 2006 and 2007 in addition to being a First Team All-American Midwest Conference selection in 2004 and 2007. He also earned NAIA Region V First Team All-Region accolades in 2004 after claiming medalist honors at the regional tournament.
Carstens graduated from MBU with a Bachelor's of Marketing/Business Administration in 2007.Â
The experienced coach is a welcome addition for a K-State team that is coming off its best fall season in school history. The Wildcats won three straight team championships and are ranked No. 18 in the country by Golfstat.
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"This is an incredible town, a wonderful athletic department, and a fantastic university," said Carstens. "I can't wait to get to work with the guys this spring and continue to build on the tremendous job Grant and Rob have done these last few years."
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K-State will begin its highly anticipated spring season February 13-14 at the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate. The spring schedule includes six regular season events before the Big 12 Championship commences April 24-26.​​
Carstens returns to Manhattan, where he previously served under Robbins from 2014 to 2017 as an assistant coach. Most recently, Carstens was the head coach of the North Alabama men's golf program from 2017 to 2021. He replaces Rob Murray, who was named the head coach at Long Beach State on November 14.
"We are excited that Coach Carstens will be coming back to Manhattan as our associate head coach," said Robbins. "His familiarity with our program and his recent success as a Division I head coach made him the ideal person to help lead our program. He is a coach with tremendous passion and energy, and his ability to connect with young players will be immensely valuable. I can't wait to start working with him and get ready for the spring season."
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Carstens oversaw North Alabama's transition to Division I and led the Lions to their first team championship in 2019, before winning another during the 2021 fall season.
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"Manhattan truly became a home during my time here from 2014 to 2017, and I've remained close to Grant over the years. I knew that if the opportunity to return to K-State ever presented itself, I'd love the chance to come back," said Carstens.Â
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Before his first stint at K-State, Carstens spent time as an assistant coach at both Jackson State and Oklahoma State. He gained professional experience as a caddy for Peter Uihlein on the European Professional Golf Association and European Challenge Professional Golf tours. In addition, Carstens caddied at the 2011 Transitions Championships, 2011 AT&T National and the 2012 Puerto Rico Open PGA Tour events.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Carstens played collegiately at Missouri Baptist University. He was named an NAIA Academic All-American in 2006 and 2007 in addition to being a First Team All-American Midwest Conference selection in 2004 and 2007. He also earned NAIA Region V First Team All-Region accolades in 2004 after claiming medalist honors at the regional tournament.
Carstens graduated from MBU with a Bachelor's of Marketing/Business Administration in 2007.Â
The experienced coach is a welcome addition for a K-State team that is coming off its best fall season in school history. The Wildcats won three straight team championships and are ranked No. 18 in the country by Golfstat.
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"This is an incredible town, a wonderful athletic department, and a fantastic university," said Carstens. "I can't wait to get to work with the guys this spring and continue to build on the tremendous job Grant and Rob have done these last few years."
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K-State will begin its highly anticipated spring season February 13-14 at the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate. The spring schedule includes six regular season events before the Big 12 Championship commences April 24-26.​​
Thursday, September 17
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