Tom McCurdy didn't expect his career to pivot in the way it did. After nearly two decades with Wichita State golf, the longtime coach suddenly found himself at a crossroads when the university announced it would discontinue both golf programs. But just as one door closed, another opened — and this one happened to be right across town.

McCurdy had always admired the Friends University men's golf program. He respected the way former head coach Dustin Galyon put together a winning culture and developed players on and off the course. When the opportunity arose to lead the program as Director of Golf, the decision felt natural.

"What I was excited about regarding taking the Men's Golf head coach and Director of Golf position at Friends was a few things," McCurdy said. "The culture and environment that Dr. Rob Ramseyer, the athletic director, has within the department, his vision for that, as well as President Dr. [Carey's] vision and path forward for the university. I was really intrigued by the success of the men's golf program and the opportunity there to take over something that Coach Galyon had built. It's any coach's dream to be part of a program that can compete at the national level."

A Perfectly Timed Opportunity

The timing of the transition was almost uncanny. As McCurdy was processing the end of his chapter at Wichita State, the Friends University position became available — in the same city, at the perfect moment for his family and career.

"The timing of the Wichita State programs closing and the opening of the position at Friends was amazing," McCurdy said. "Total God thing that happened. We really didn't see the closing of the golf programs at Wichita State happening. But I'm so thankful that the opportunity at Friends opened at the time it did."

It helped that he already had a relationship with Galyon, whose work laid a strong foundation for the program's future. "I've been good friends with Coach Galyon for a few years, and I have great respect for what he's done in building and starting this program," McCurdy said. "It's such a wonderful opportunity and just crazy timing how this all came together. My family doesn't have to move. I can easily step in without that major adjustment and get the program continuing on its path."

From Division I to the NAIA

Moving from NCAA Division I to the NAIA brings challenges, but McCurdy believes the essence of coaching remains the same.

"Assimilating from NCAA D1 to NAIA, the biggest adjustment is just going to be the rules that are in play that differ from NCAA to NAIA," he said. "Whether it's recruiting, the weekly calendar that the student-athletes go through, how you offer scholarships, the timing of when you can communicate with junior golfers — all of that is vastly different, and I'm learning that as fast as I can."

On the course, though, McCurdy sees more similarities than differences. "Athletically, I don't think there should be much of an adjustment at all," he said. "Golf is golf, and just trying to develop the players to be the best that they can be is the same format, regardless of what level you're at. It's about getting on the same page with each of the guys, finding out where they are in their development, and putting together structures so they can continue their growth — all while doing the same thing with the team."

Why He Coaches 

McCurdy's passion for coaching goes back to his roots as a multi-sport athlete who loved competition. "I've always been a competitive junkie," he said. "Golf was the one sport that I could do by myself in the off-season, especially in the summertime. I played college golf, played college baseball as well, actually, and when the opportunity to get into coaching arose, I jumped at it. I fell in love with it right away."

He hasn't looked back since. "I love the relationships with the players I have on the teams," he said. "I love trying to build teams and make them better. I love recruiting, and any type of competition that we can do at any level is just a joy for me."

Continuing the Friends Standard

Now, McCurdy's focus is on sustaining and elevating a program that's already on an upward trajectory. "I think the biggest thing is to take a good assessment of what has made this program succeed and just keep that going while filling in the gaps," he said. "I've had good success in taking programs that had not been succeeding to a higher level. This is the first time for me to step into a currently successful program, but I love the challenge."

His relationship with Galyon provides a unique advantage. "We've talked shop and I know a lot of the things about what he has done with this program," McCurdy said. "Philosophically, we see eye to eye in many ways. So I don't see there being much of a struggle with the transition. It's more about me not getting in the way of the student-athletes in terms of what they have going well, but finding out how I can land on their space and help them become the best that they can be."