By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Warriors golf welcomes new head coach
CSUS golf coach
Brandon Christianson will take over as head coach of the Cal State Stanislaus men's golf program. Christianson has been an assistant coach for UCLA since 2012. - photo by Photo Contributed

Director of Athletics Michael Matoso has named Brandon Christianson as the newest coach on the Cal State Stanislaus staff. Christianson will succeed John Cook as the head coach of the Warriors' men's golf team.
Christianson, a 2009 graduate of UCLA, has been a full-time assistant coach under Derek Freeman at UCLA since 2012. A four-year member of the UCLA Bruins men's golf team, Christianson was a part of the 2008 NCAA Championship squad.
 
"Brandon has competed and coached at one of the premiere Division I programs in the country as an assistant and will now have the opportunity to showcase his coaching at one of the premiere Division II programs," said Matoso.
 
Christianson is the Warriors' third head coach for men's golf, following the legendary Jim Hanny and the successful Cook, who became the head coach at the University of the Pacific in May after seven seasons guiding the Warriors.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the Cal State Stanislaus men's golf team," Christianson said. "(The university's) commitment to athletic and academic excellence will undoubtedly help me lead the Warriors to contend for both conference and national championships,"
 
As a member of the Bruins' staff, Christianson worked in a variety of administrative and coaching areas. One of his main duties was to help organize the annual UCLA Gifford Collegiate Championship. In addition, he organized and ran practices, mentored players and served as the one of the Bruins' designated coaches. From 2006-08, he also worked at the annual UCLA golf camps, teaching young golfers the fundamentals of the game as well as managing many aspects of the camp operation.
 
"In the interviews, Brandon's experience on the PGA tour as a caddie with course management and recruiting throughout California really stood out," Matoso added.
 
After earning four varsity letters for the Bruins from 2005-08, Christianson served one season as the Bruins' Undergraduate Assistant Coach while completing his degree in History. He returned to UCLA after working on the PGA Tour as a caddie for three years (2010-12), most recently with UCLA alumnus Kevin Chappell.
 
Christianson knows Cal State Stanislaus has a long, rich winning tradition in men's golf and is ready to follow the footsteps of Hanny and Cook to keep the Warriors playing at the highest level.
 
"To coach in the footsteps of Jim Hanny and John Cook is truly an honor," Christianson added. "I look forward to joining the Warrior Athletics family and community."
 
The Warriors are coming off back-to-back California Collegiate Athletic Association conference championships. Stanislaus has never missed a NCAA regional or district tournament since the program started in 1976.
 
Under Hanny, from 1976 to 1989, the Warriors won 12 national championships, which to date is still a NCAA Division III record.
 
Christianson, 29, is originally from Valencia. At Valencia High School, he earned four varsity letters and twice was the Foothill League MVP. In a conference championship tournament in 2004, he fired a league record score of 65 at Harding Park. In the 2003 CIF Southern Section playoffs, he blistered Soule Park GC for a 10-under par round of 62, considered to be the lowest round ever by a high school player in Southern California.