COLUMBIA, Ky. -- James England has been named the men's and women's golf coach at Lindsey Wilson College, the school announced on Tuesday.

Prior to taking over the Blue Raider programs, England served as a sales representative at Golf Headquarters in Louisville, Ky., while also managing his own golf club making and fitting business.

England is a graduate of Lindsey Wilson where he was a student-athlete on the men's golf team for one season. The Albany, Ky., native also completed portions of his degree at the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville.

"James was the perfect candidate to fill the newly created position of head men's and women's golf coach and director of golf operations," Lindsey Wilson athletic director Willis Pooler said. "He has the skill set to elevate our golf programs, as well as enhancing the playing experience for the membership at the Pines. He understands our mission and is committed to help develop the academic and athletic skills of our student-athletes."

England replaces Chris Starks, who steps away from the men's program to focus solely as the assistant men's basketball coach. Chris Wells -- the former women's golf coach -- will share his time between roles as the college's assistant athletic director and sports information director.

After growing up just a few blocks from the Lindsey Wilson campus, England is excited to start his new role as a coach for the college.

"Lindsey Wilson has always been of special interest to me," England said. "For the first eight years of my life, my family lived a couple of blocks away from campus. After graduating from Clinton County High School, there was only one choice (Lindsey Wilson) of colleges for me."

Aside from coaching duties, England will also serve as the Director of Operations at The Pines at Lindsey Wilson, the home golf course for the Blue Raiders.

"For the past 18 years, my life has been dedicated to golf," England said. "I entered college to learn the business skills necessary to run my own golf business. Many of the great experiences I've had and most of the influential people I have met came about because I played golf."

England inherits a women's program that recently finished sixth at the 2010 NAIA Women's Golf Championship and a men's program that opened the 2010 season ranked 23rd in the NAIA Coaches' Poll and finished second at the Mid-South Conference Championship in April.