AUBURN, Ala. – Dr. Robert Carlisle, a former two-time national champion student-athlete with more than a decade of higher education and sports administration experience, has been named Auburn Athletics' associate athletics director, student-athlete development.
Carlisle, who comes to the Plains from Appalachian State University, will lead AuburnYOU, Auburn Athletics' comprehensive life skills program.
"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work at Auburn University," Carlisle said. "My sincere thanks go to Djenane Paul and the entire hiring committee who have served throughout this process."
"Dr. Carlisle's enthusiasm for relationship-building, curriculum development and dedication to the overall student-athlete experience stood out to our search committee," Auburn deputy athletics director and senior woman administrator Djenane Paul said. "With his forward thinking and holistic commitment to student-athletes, Dr. Carlisle will build upon the personal and professional growth AuburnYOU encapsulates as we continue to develop Auburn Men and Women. We are excited to welcome Rob and his wife, Ebony, and their two children to the Plains."
Carlisle, who logged previous SEC experience as a scholastic supervisor at Texas A&M, will oversee AuburnYOU's strategic vision and programming to enhance student-athlete experiences, personal growth, professional development and overall well-being.
"I am excited to join the team and positively encourage, inspire and impact the lives of the student-athletes at Auburn University," Carlisle said. "I am eager to contribute to their success and I look forward to making a meaningful difference at Auburn."
A native of Detroit, Carlisle earned his bachelor's degree from Grand Valley State University in Michigan, where he contributed to two Division II football national championships from 2006-09.
Carlisle earned his master's in sports administration and leadership from Augustana University in 2014 and his doctorate of philosophy in recreation, park & tourism sciences with a focus on youth development from Texas A&M in 2023.
At Appalachian State, Carlisle oversaw the Mountaineers RISE program that aimed to develop, nurture, support and prepare student-athletes to be world-class leaders, including professional, career and leadership development, and community engagement.
