Former WKU assistant joins Lutz’s Cowboy Basketball Staff

Newly-appointed men’s basketball coach Steve Lutz announced Thursday that Robert Guster, a 25-year veteran with deep Texas ties, will be an assistant coach on his inaugural Oklahoma State staff.

Guster held a similar role under Lutz at Western Kentucky during the 2023-24 season. Together they led the Hilltoppers to 22 wins, a Conference USA championship and the program’s first NCAA tournament bid in 11 years.

Lutz said:

“Coach Guster is already well-versed in the Cowboy Way, having worked 10 years under former OSU guard, Brooks Thompson. He is a builder of strong relationships and defenses – two things that often go hand-in-hand. We’ll lean on his recruiting contacts throughout the Midwest to bring in talented, high-character guys, as well as his ability to teach and motivate. Please join in me in welcoming Robert, Melissa, Alivia and Shiloh to the Cowboy Basketball Family.”

Before teaming up with Lutz, Guster spent 17 years in the San Antonio area at Texas State and UTSA.

Guster was part of four 20-wins seasons at Texas State (2016-23), highlighted by back-to-back Sun Belt Conference championships in 2021 and 2022 and the program’s first ever appearance in the National Invitation Tournament.

The Bobcats were an elite defensive unit, leading the league in scoring defense in five of his seven seasons on staff and finishing among the nation’s top 30 on three occasions. Guster worked primarily with the big men. His 2019 group led the SBC in rebounds-per-game and the 2022 squad finished with the league’s best field goal percentage. He also had a hand in the development of Lou Henson All-American and 2020 Sun Belt Player of the Year Nijal Pearson.

In 10 years at UTSA (2006-16) under Thompson, Guster helped the Roadrunners to a league championship and two conference tournament title games. The 2011 squad earned the school’s first ever NCAA tournament victory in any sport.

Guster’s first Division I assistant job came at Southeast Missouri State in Cape Girardeau, Mo. (2004-06). He was heavily involved in the Redhawks’ recruiting efforts and oversaw the program’s academic affairs.

Guster started his coaching career at West Plains Community College (now Missouri State-West Plains). In his five seasons on staff (1999-2004) the Grizzlies posted a 120-36 record, and 10 of his recruits went on to earn opportunities at the Division I level.

Guster was West Plains’ starting point guard for two seasons before finishing out his playing career with back-to-back winning seasons at Missouri-Rolla (now Missouri S&T). He twice paced the team in assists and also led the MIAA Conference in assist-to-turnover ratio.

Born in Chicago and raised in West Monroe, La., Guster earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Missouri-Rolla in 1999. He later received his master’s degree in elementary education from Missouri State in 2002. He and his wife, Melissa, have one daughter, Alivia, and a son, Shiloh.