“MSU has great tradition both athletically and academically,” Puryear said. “For me, it was a great opportunity to take a program that is where they are and take it a step forward. MSU has a lot of great players and they also have great tradition.”

The Spartans are coming off a season in which they tied for first at the Big Ten championship, placed 23rd at the NCAA championships and ended the season ranked 30th in the Golfweek/Sagarin team ratings.

With five of last year’s top golfers returning, Puryear is ready to take MSU golf to a new level.

“I know what MSU is trying to do, and it’s a perfect fit,” he said.

“My goals coincide with MSU’s goals and that’s to make them a national contender.”

Recruiting and player development are two key aspects in building a winning program and those are two areas in which Puryear has experienced success. In 2007, five Stanford golfers earned All-America honors. Puryear recruited many top-ranked golfers from across the country, which is something he believes is essential to become a national contender.

“We’re going to be recruiting nationally,” Puryear said. “Not just recruiting the best golfers in the Midwest and Michigan but looking all over the nation as well as internationally.”

Aside from the goal to bring MSU golf to national prominence, what Puryear expects for himself is simple, and that’s to coach.

“Really helping young men develop into men,” he said. “For them to be great in academics, and I would like to bring them along to foster their dreams and help their golf professional dreams come true.”

Puryear planned to arrive in East Lansing on Sunday, leaving him two weeks to prepare for the season.

“From what everything (assistant coach) Casey (Lubahn) has been telling me, the expectation is for the guys to perform well, and I’m very comfortable right now that the guys will be able to compete.”