GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- It's been a typical summer for Rob Stiles. Most of it has been spent teaching, and coaching and playing golf. This fall, he'll probably doing much of the same.

However, for the first time since 1970, he won't be the head coach of a team at the University of North Dakota.

As UND transitions to NCAA Division I status, the school elevated and combined the golf coaches' status to full-time in order to comply with NCAA rules. Instead of taking that job, Stiles, who is an assistant professor in the physical education, exercise science and wellness department (PEXS), will continue to teach full-time.

"I love teaching," Stiles said.

Dan Frei, who coached the women's golf program last season, will take over as the head coach for both the men and women this fall. Stiles will stay on as an assistant coach.

Stiles came to the area in the late 1960s, and attended UND after his wife suggested the idea.

"I had finished my military obligations, and my wife got a job here in Grand Forks," Stiles said. "She said I should finish my education at UND."

Stiles had spent time at Oregon State, Modesto (Calif.) Junior College, and Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo for a year each, but finished his physical education degree at UND in 1970. A year later, he obtained his master's degree.

Stiles was an all-around athlete at each stop. In college he competed in football, track and wrestling. During his time in the Army, he also wrestled.

When he came to UND, he helped coach the wrestling team. After his graduation, Stiles was asked to step into the vacant head wrestling coach job. He accepted and quickly found himself fighting an uphill battle against other teams in the region.

"We never had a winning season," Stiles said. "We had $500 for scholarships when I started, while other schools like North Dakota State were fully funded."

But things began to turn around.

Stiles said landing a top recruit like Rick Lee, who was a state champion, made a big difference.

"It opened the door for junior college All-Americans to come here," Stiles said. "My second year we won three matches. The third year we went 9-6, our first winning season."

Stiles said the program got a big boost from then-President Tom Clifford.

"After one meet, (Clifford) came to me and said he was going to give us $1,000," Stiles said. "He told Len Marti, the athletic director, he had to match it. So we had $2,000 to work with."

Success continued for the wrestling program, and a few years later Stiles found himself applying for another open position in the department. Stiles had taken over as the golf pro at the UND-owned Ray Richard's Golf Course in 1983. He became the head men's golf coach in 1985.

"Over those two years, I grew to love golf," Stiles said.

Success followed Stiles to the UND golf program. One of the greatest accomplishments came when UND won the North Central Conference four years in a row from 1996-99.

Stiles said he is also proud of the number of UND student-athletes that are still coaching and teaching golf across the country. Off the top of his head, he listed 10 former golfers who are course pros or golf coaches.

Stiles has also seen change throughout the years. Even bigger than the Division I transition, Stiles said that when UND split the athletic department and PEXS department in the 1980s, it was a big change. When the wrestling program was cut in the 1990s because of Title IX, Stiles said that was a disappointing time, as well.

The golf teams were also on the chopping block in the early 1990s, Stiles said.

"We raised enough money to keep the team afloat," Stiles said. "Only until a few years ago did we get most funding from the department. We had some great people helping out. Guys like Dale Younger, Louis Bogan. The alumni give a lot of support."

This fall will also be a change for Stiles and the golf program in Division I. But there's no doubt, Stiles will remain busy on the course or in the class room.

"It's going to be fun," Stiles said.