KU’s Chris Wilson named finalist for Jan Strickland Award
NORMAN, Okla. – Kansas associate head coach men’s golf coach Chris Wilson has been named one of six finalists for the 2019 Jan Strickland Outstanding Assistant Coach Award presented by TaylorMade Golf Company as selected by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA), the GCAA released Thursday.
“This is a great honor and accomplishment to be named a finalist for this prestigious award,” KU head coach Jamie Bermel said. “I think Coach Wilson’s resume and hard work speak volumes to this award.”
The Strickland Award is presented to the NCAA Division I, II, III, NAIA or NJCAA assistant coach that, among other things, has excelled in working with their student-athletes both on the course and in the classroom. Joining Wilson as finalists are Zach Barlow of Illinois, North Carolina’s Matt Clark, Debbie Dove of Keiser, Arizona State’s Armen Kirakossian and UCLA’s Andrew Larkin.
“With so many good coaches and programs out there, to even be recognized as a finalist is something I am obviously proud of,” Wilson said. “I do think it speaks more to the continued success of our team, than me as an individual. We have had an awesome group of guys here the past four years and I am proud to represent them with a little public recognition.”
Wilson joined the Kansas coaching staff in January 2016 as an associate head coach after spending the previous five-plus seasons at the U.S. Air Force Academy. In his first two and a half seasons the Jayhawks claimed six team victories and three-straight at-large bids to NCAA Regionals. While at Air Force the Falcons won six team titles and shattered the program record for average team score. Wilson began his career at head men’s and women’s golf coach at Louisiana-Monroe (ULM).
“Under Jamie’s leadership, our program has made strides towards the upper echelon of college golf,” Wilson said. “Along with guiding groups of players through this program every year, he has helped me grow as a coach on and off the course with a tremendous amount of trust and responsibility. Being named a finalist for the Jan Strickland award is truly a team award. Our players, support staff, parents and donors should all be proud their program is being recognized at the national level.”
The Strickland Award recipient will be announced May 7.
TaylorMade Golf Company has sponsored the Strickland Award since its inception in 2003.
