Michael Wilson Named Men's Golf Assistant Coach

SEATTLE – Washington head coach Matt Thurmond announced the hiring of new assistant coach Michael Wilson on Friday, ending an extensive nationwide search. Wilson was a former standout player at California that played professionally on the Canadian Tour, before his recent time as a golf pro in Carmel, Calif.

"I'm really excited to announce that Michael will be joining us as our Assistant Coach,” said Thurmond. “I coached against Michael when he was at Cal and was always impressed with who he was and how he played. He's smart, diligent, competitive, and he'll bring a great golf perspective and experience to our program."

“This is a tremendous opportunity,” said Wilson. “I am excited to work with Coach Thurmond and his staff, be a part of the Men’s Golf Team and the University of Washington family.”

Wilson was a top player at Cal that won the 2003 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award and helped the Golden Bears win the NCAA title in 2004. He won three tournaments as an individual, a Golden Bear record, while also twice being named an Academic All-American.

“Looking back on my college golf experience, I understand the challenges, opportunities and rewards of university life while playing on a Division-I team,” said Wilson. “I feel honored to be a part of this environment and help lead the Men’s Golf Team to success on and off the golf course.”

After graduating from Cal with a degree in Mass Communications in 2007, Wilson played on the Canadian Tour for three years. Since 2010, he has been working at Santa Lucia Preserve in Carmel, Calif., where he became an assistant golf pro and lead instructor in 2011.

"This has been a very long and extensive search for us,” said Thurmond. “We've turned over every stone and looked in depth at a large variety of candidates. I've been overwhelmed by the interest in the position. I feel fortunate to find someone that has all the right skills and experiences we were looking for that can help us take the program to another level."

Wilson will join the Dawgs whose 2014-15 season is underway. Washington will be back in action next week at the Swoosh Invitational, hosted by TCU in Fort Worth, Texas.

“The goal is to make the University of Washington name synonymous with a powerhouse men’s golf program on every level,” said Wilson. “Period.”