ALISO VIEJO, Calif. - Cal State San Bernardino men's golf assistant coach Troy Nielsen has been named the 2026 Non-Division I recipient of the Jan Strickland Outstanding Assistant Coach Award, presented by TaylorMade Golf Company, the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) announced. Nielsen shares the national honor with Division I recipient Dustin Groves of the University of Virginia.

The Jan Strickland Award is presented annually to collegiate assistant coaches who demonstrate excellence in developing student-athletes both on the course and in the classroom across NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA divisions. Nielsen and Groves will be honored during the 2026 GCAA National Convention at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas from Dec. 8-10.

Now in his fifth season alongside head coach Kyle Emerson, Nielsen has helped elevate the Coyotes into one of the premier programs in NCAA Division II golf. Under his guidance, CSUSB has recorded 10 top-10 finishes during the 2025-26 campaign, including team victories at the Hanny Stanislaus Invitational and the Coyote Classic. CSUSB The Coyotes climbed from No. 68 nationally in October to No. 29 in the national rankings while posting top-three finishes in six of their seven spring tournaments.

"It is truly a special honor to be the Non-Division I Jan Strickland Award winner," Nielsen said. "Receiving this award means the world to myself and my family. When you put so much effort and work into something you love to do, it really never seems like work, but for that to be noticed really makes it worth all the long days and hours away from my family."

Nielsen's impact has extended far beyond tournament results. CSUSB has qualified for NCAA Regionals in each of his five seasons on staff, including advancing to the NCAA Division II National Championship in each of the past two seasons. His work in player development has helped produce All-America and All-Region performers, including John Kim, who earned NCAA Division II PING Third Team All-America honors in 2025, and Chris Wardrup, who qualified individually for the 2024 NCAA Division II National Championship.

This season, junior Kamron Hopson emerged as one of Division II's top golfers, recording top-20 finishes in 10 of his last 11 tournaments and capturing a seven-stroke victory at the Coyote Classic.

"I could not be happier for Coach Troy in receiving the 2026 Non-Division I Jan Strickland Award," Emerson said. "Nobody works harder than Troy Nielsen to help our guys improve and play the best golf that they're capable of. This is a huge win for our program and our players."

Excellence in the classroom has become a hallmark of the program under Nielsen's leadership. The Coyotes recorded the highest team GPA in school history in both 2024 and 2025, including a 3.69 team GPA during the 2024-25 academic year. The program also earned the department's first Team Academic Excellence Award.

Beyond the fairways, Nielsen has played a key role in fundraising and community engagement. He helped organize the Dave Stockton Fundraiser, raising approximately $40,000 for the men's golf program, while also teaching youth golf and supporting junior and high school golf initiatives throughout the Inland Empire.

"Troy has made a massive difference in our performance since joining our staff five-plus years ago," Emerson said. "His efforts in recruiting, fundraising, statistical analysis and preparation are unmatched. We would not be where we are today without Troy."

Nielsen credited the student-athletes and coaching staff that have helped shape the program's success.

"I have been very fortunate to be a part of a program where we have had great kids who have bought in to what we do and work really hard at their craft, so this award goes out to them too," Nielsen said. "I wouldn't be receiving this award without the players who have come through here."

The national recognition marks another milestone for the CSUSB men's golf program that continues to rise on the national stage, with Nielsen's contributions helping establish the Coyotes as a consistent NCAA contender both athletically and academically.