A new associate head coach is joining OCU’s golf team.
Andy Crabtree was chosen as associate head golf coach because of his experience in coaching, Athletic Director Jim Abbott said.
“Andy has experience, he’s been to tournaments and knows the details of what it takes to have a successful team. He’ll be able to help our student athletes play at their highest level,” Abbott said. “He’s also an excellent recruiter, so he’ll be able to go find our next golf team members and bring them to OCU.”
The former men’s golf coach, Kyle Blaser, left the university earlier this year to go into private business. Blaser’s departure was after 23 years as the men’s golf coach. Marty McCauley, head coach of women’s golf, took over, making him head coach of both golf teams.
Abbott said Crabtree was the first choice for the position of associate head golf coach.
“When the former head golf coach told us that he’s going to be resigning to take another position, we posted the associate head coach job as available and tried to get the word out. A good amount of people applied for the job. We brought Andy in for an interview and followed up with his references,” Abbott said. “We had three people that we considered, but Andy was our first choice.”
Crabtree has coached golf for 12 years. He previously coached at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma, Texas A&M University in College Station, Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, and, most recently, the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. He has coached men’s and women’s golf teams, but, at OCU, he will work primarily with the men’s team.
“I am still happy to help with the women’s team in any way I can, though,” he said.
Crabtree grew up in Bixby, Oklahoma, and graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa. He was a member of the golf team at USF and earned his bachelor’s degree in communication.
“When I was in college, I knew that coaching college golf is what I wanted to do,” Crabtree said.
Crabtree said he was drawn to OCU by the opportunity to return to men’s golf.
“In Tulsa, I coached men’s golf for four years. At Texas A&M and UNLV, I coached the women’s team,” Crabtree said. “It’s a bit of a change for me to get back into men’s golf, which I’m looking forward to.”
Crabtree said he wants to ensure that student athletes have a great experience.
“My first goal as a coach is to see that the team members get a great education and earn a degree,” Crabtree said. “I also want them to be involved in any way they can in the community and make a difference. And, of course, we want to continue the winning tradition here, too.”
Crabtree said he is eager to get to know the members of the team.
“Meeting the guys on the team made a real impression on me,” Crabtree said. “I’m excited about getting to know them better and see how far they can go this season.”
Junior Golfer Carson Seals said Crabtree will be a great addition to the team.
“Coach Crabtree was very professional when I first met him. He struck me as someone who was a very knowledgeable and experienced coach,” Seals said. “He seems dedicated and passionate about winning. We are happy to have him.”
Crabtree said he looks forward to his future at OCU.
“I love coaching golf, and I’m excited to be a part of the OCU community,” Crabtree said.
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