Brown Colors in CBU's Coaching Vacancy

MORENO VALLEY >> One of the most recognized coaches in NCAA Division II golf over the last decade, TL Brown, was hired as California Baptist University's new men's golf coach on Thursday, June 30. Brown brings 18 years of collegiate coaching experience with him to CBU, and he spent the last nine years developing Chico State to a perennial national championship contender. The Wildcats have put together three top-three finishes at the Division II Championships over the last seven years, including runner-up performances in 2016 and 2012. "TL Brown has had so much success at Chico State," said Dr. Micah Parker, CBU director of athletics. "Our team is going to be blessed with a coach who can recruit and develop players at the highest level. The search committee was impressed with his preparation and concern for student-athlete experience. We are very excited about the direction our golf program is headed." CBU and Chico State are both coming off impressive 2015-16 seasons. The Lancers advanced to the Division II Championships and were one of the final six teams standing in medal/match play, despite being ranked outside of the top-25, while the Wildcats fell to St. Leo 3-2 in the championship medal/match play final. Earlier on in the season, the Lancers finished strong with top-four finishes in their final four tournaments leading up to the Division II Championships. It all started with the program's first victory since 2011-12 at the CBU Invitational. Chico State matched a program record by winning seven times. They finished first or second in all 12 tournaments to set a new program standard. "I believe we are planted where we will make the greatest impact," said Brown, who has played Division I golf at the University of Idaho and Washington State, before going on to play professionally in the PGA from 1993-1995. "I would like to thank Dr. Parker, [CBU President] Dr. Ronald L. Ellis and Vice President Kent Dacus for the opportunity to coach men's golf and lead current and future Christian student-athletes at CBU. I was very impressed with the mission and dedication to the entire student-athlete experience at CBU." Over Brown's nine years at the helm, the Wildcats qualified for the NCAA postseason each year, winning 26 tournaments and posting 78 top-five finishes. As a result, Brown was a finalist for the Dave Williams NCAA D-II National Coach of the Year in 2016. He was named the Coach of the Year in the California Collegiate Athletic Association and in Golf Pride's West Region for the second and fourth time, respectively, in his career this past season, as well. Before Chico State, Brown coached and filled a variety of roles in Arizona at South Mountain Community College (1999-2007) and Arizona Western College (1997-1999). He created and organized Arizona Western's first men's and women's golf program in over 15 years, and then coached and served as an assistant athletic director at South Mountain. The Cougars of South Mountain won five-straight regional championships from 2001 to 2005. They posted three top-two finishes from 2003 to 2007 and won it all in 2004. It led to Brown being named the Coach of the Year in the NJCAA Division II and ACCAC in 2004. Across all three stops, Brown's players earned 27 All-American honors, with one Chico State player going on to win the individual Division II champion in 2011. On 47 occasions, his players notched all-region accolades and 45 times they notched all-conference distinction, including Player of the Year. Academically, his players picked up 18 All-American Scholar awards and South Mountain was named the NJCAA Academic Team of the Nation in 2003. Brown earned his bachelor of science in public relations from the University of Idaho, and then added a masters in education from Northern Arizona. As a professional golfer, he competed in the US Open sectional qualifier, Canadian Tour qualifying, NIKE Tour & State Opens over two years.