High Point University Athletic Director
Dan Hauser announced
Todd Eckstein as the head coach of the men’s golf program Friday afternoon (June 3 2022). Eckstein becomes the fifth men’s head golf coach at HPU since the program began in 1997.
In his second season, Eckstein led the Panthers to eight top-10 finishes as a team, with the best finish at the Big South Conference Championship. The team took home first with a score of 278-271-272 (821) - 31. High Point's first-place finish allowed the team to advance to match play for the first time in program history. HPU's Fred Roberts IV secured a spot as the tournament's medalist with an outstanding performance of 9-under 204. Roberts became the third Panther to advance to the NCAA Regionals, the first to do so under Coach Eckstein.
During Eckstein's first season, he led the Panthers to seven top-10 finishes as a team, with the best finish at the Stitch Intercollegiate, hosted by N.C. State. The team placed fifth overall with a score of 299-297-586, +28. The team shot a season best at the Sea Palms Invitational, shooting a 6-over par 858 during the three-day event. During the regular season, the Panthers were awarded four Big South Player of the Week awards with three given to Burch Harrison for Freshman of the Week. Two Panthers were named to the All-Conference teams following the regular season, Burch Harrison to the All-Freshman team and Grady Newton to the second team. HPU ended the season with a sixth place finish at the Big South Championships, led by Charlie Barr with a 2-under par 214 for a third place finish and a spot on the All-Tournament team.
Prior to HPU, Eckstein recently completed a three-year stint as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator with the men’s golf program at Virginia Tech. During his time with the Hokies, he handled a wide range of responsibilities and managed the logistics of the program’s recruiting efforts while also obtaining his Trackman certification.
Eckstein helped the Hokies improve 35 spots in the national rankings since his arrival in July 2019 while he also recruited multiple top-100 players in the 2020-2022 recruiting classes. While at Virginia Tech, the Hokies boasted a VSGA Player of the Year, a VSGA Junior Player of the Year, two NCAA Regional Qualifiers, a Korn Ferry Tour Member, and a US Amateur Qualifier. Virginia Tech also won the 2021 Oldfield Invitational, the program’s first team title since 2016.
Eckstein also spent three years as an assistant coach at Furman University. During his time with the Paladins, the team improved over 90 spots in the national rankings. Furman won the 2019 Wofford Invitational, the program’s first tournament victory in nine years. While at Furman, Paladin golfers earned two Southern Conference Player of the Year’s, one SoCon Freshman of the Year, and four All-Conference team selections.
Prior to Furman, Eckstein was an assistant coach at Mercer in Spring 2016 and a volunteer assistant at his alma mater, Davidson College, where he served during the 2015 fall season. He also served as assistant director of alumni and family engagement at Davidson in 2018.
As a collegiate golfer, Eckstein was a four-year letter winner on Davidson’s men’s golf team. A 2014 and 2015 Cleveland Golf/Srixon All-American Scholar, Eckstein earned Atlantic 10 All-Conference recognition in 2015 after taking home 2013 Southern Conference All-Tournament honors. He helped lead Davidson to a pair of team victories during his career while recording six top-10 individual finishes. He was also a representative on the Davidson Student-Athlete A-10 Transition Committee. Eckstein received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Davidson in 2015.
A native of Durham, North Carolina, Eckstein was a top performer in the junior ranks at Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill, where he was named to the North Carolina All-State team three times and won the individual state championship in 2011. Eckstein led the Trinity School of Durham to two NCISAA State Championships (2010 & 2011).
What They’re Saying About Todd Eckstein
“Todd has been an integral part of our program at Virginia Tech for the past three seasons, and while he will be missed, I am very excited for him and this opportunity at High Point University. It has been fun for me to watch him grow as a person and a leader these past few years and this is the logical next step in his career path. His rapport with our players has been terrific and I have no doubt that will continue with his new group of young men. He will do a wonderful job as a head coach, and I wish him nothing but the best going forward.”
- Brian Sharp, Head Coach at Virginia Tech
“Todd is so deserving of the opportunity, and I am really excited for him. Not only is he a great golf coach, but he has always shown a genuine passion to help students reach their potential off the course as well as on.”
- Matt Davidson, Head Coach at Furman
“Todd is a very talented young coach who has a lot of experience already and he's going to be very successful. He’s very well organized, very intelligent, and has a great background in golf with his father being a PGA professional, so he knows all aspects of the game. I think he has a very bright future and that High Point made a great hire.”
- Tim Straub, Head Coach at Davidson
“Every time I interact with Todd, I’m very impressed. He has many exceptionally positive traits and values, but the thing that always stands out to me most about Todd is that he always puts the student-athletes first. Todd views coaching as an opportunity to serve others. Student-athletes will love their experiences at High Point under Todd’s leadership.”
- Andrew DiBitetto, Head Coach at North Carolina
