For More Information
Josh Ivans, coach (620) 792-9374
Mike Marzolf, SID, (620) 792-9310
marzolfm@bartonccc.edu

Kohler comes to Barton County from Missouri Western State College in St. Joseph, Mo. He has served as an assistant volleyball coach for the Griffons as well as the recruiting coordinator. He served that position last season for the NCAA Division II school after spending the previous three seasons as the volleyball coach at Allen County Community College.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be named the new head volleyball coach at Barton County,” Kohler said. “This is one of the country's premier volleyball programs, and to be following in the footsteps of some great former coaches is a real honor.”

Kohler was chosen to be the new Cougars coach after a nation-wide search by the Barton Athletic Director Neil Elliott. He was one of three candidates that were interviewed for the position.

“We are very pleased and excited that Kurt Kohler has agreed to take over our volleyball program,” Elliott said. “Kurt has a very solid volleyball background and his experience as the head coach at Allen County Community College for three seasons gives him familiarity with the Jayhawk Conference. Kurt has excellent recruiting ties within the Midwest region having coached in Colorado, Kansas and Missouri, which should pay dividends on the recruiting front.”

While at Allen County his Red Devils were in the top half of the Jayhawk East each season, the best regular season coming during the 2002 season. During that year, Allen County finished the season with a 27-15 record and finished 3rd in the District D – the district Barton won. Kohler was named the Coach of the Year in the East that season. Prior to his arrival at Allen, the Red Devils were perennially at the bottom of the East. In fact, prior to Kohler’s arrival at Allen, the Red Devils had not qualified for the Region VI tournament in nearly a decade. The Red Devils made it to all 3 Region tournament’s during his tenure, capturing top 3 finishes twice.

“After leaving the junior college coaching ranks last year, I told myself that there are only two community college coaching positions I would consider returning for, and Barton County was at the top,” Kohler said. “The commitment to win is evident in everything the athletic staff, faculty, administration, and student body at Barton does. Their school pride is exciting to witness.”

It was Kohler's time at Allen County, putting the Red Devils near the top of the East, which was attractive to Elliott in the hiring process.

“The things that made Kurt rise to the top were his volleyball knowledge, his organizational skills, his recruiting ability, his ability to relate to his players and his work ethic,” Elliott said. “He did an outstanding job of turning the Allen County program around and leading it to the most success they have had in its schools history. We are confident that Kurt will work extremely hard to maintain our programs status as one of the elite programs in the country.

Kohler has also spent time coaching club volleyball as well as several high schools teams in Colorado. He was the President of the Colorado High School Volleyball Coaches Association his final two years in the state. Kohler won numerous honors as a high school at a pair of high schools in Colorado posting a career record of 180-72. His club teams have a career mark of 212-96.

Kohler is looking forward to the opportunity to bring his successful coaching marks to that of the Cougars storied tradition.

“I'm looking forward to the opportunity to continue building a championship program, and the first step will be to hit the recruiting trail hard this spring,” Kohler said. “I believe we can assemble a very solid team for next season, one consisting of great athletes who exhibit an exceptional work ethic, strong character, commitment to academic success, and a desire to win another national championship.”

Kohler received his Bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University and his Master’s from Emporia State University.

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