BERKELEY – Michael Wilson, a key member of California’s 2004 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship team, has been named the Alex and Marie Shipman Director of Men’s Golf, Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton announced Monday.
Wilson, a 2007 alumnus, returns to Cal most recently following two successful seasons at the helm of Colorado State’s men’s golf program (2022-24), having led the Rams to back-to-back NCAA Regional appearances and a 2023 NCAA Championship berth. He served as the head coach at Long Beach State for the five previous seasons (2017-22) and was named the 2021 Big West Coach of the Year after guiding the Beach to an NCAA Regional appearance and its first conference title in 52 years.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Michael back to Berkeley alongside his wife, Courtney, and their son, Ben,” Knowlton said. “Michael has been a winner at every step of his career – both as a player and as a head coach – and we’re confident he’ll take our program to great heights. Michael will be an excellent mentor for our student-athletes, and we’re proud to have him leading our men’s golf program into an exciting new chapter.”
Colorado State flourished in Wilson’s two years with the program. The Rams reached their first NCAA Championship in 12 years in 2023 after placing fifth at the NCAA Auburn Regional, and won their first three tournaments of the season along with nine total top-five finishes. Under Wilson’s guidance, Christoph Bleier became the first Ram to win individual medalist at an NCAA Regional, and he was one of three CSU golfers to earn All-Mountain West accolades during the 2022-23 campaign. In 2023-24, Wilson’s Rams recorded another five top-five finishes, including a win at Air Force’s Gene Miranda Falcon Invitational and a third-place effort at the Mountain West Championship. CSU reached the NCAA postseason again, ultimately placing 10th at the NCAA West Lafayette Regional.
“I’m humbled and honored to be named the next head men’s golf coach at Cal – it’s a dream come true,” Wilson said. “It’s great to return home, and I can’t wait to get to work the student-athletes, administration and the Cal Golf Family. Cal Golf has always been close to my heart as a Northern Californian, alumnus and member of the 2004 NCAA Championship team. My experience at Cal lasted me a lifetime. There’s incredible tradition here, a long history of developing elite golfers, an outstanding support group and the perfect environment to learn and grow both on the course and in the classroom. Cal has everything needed for a young golfer looking to achieve greatness. Thank you to Director of Athletics Jim Knowlton and Associate Athletics Director Jay John for believing in me to lead the program forward.
“We will challenge and empower our golfers to be the very best version of themselves on and off the course. Our teams will win, bring home championships and passionately work to build something bigger than ourselves. The Cal Golf experience will take our student-athletes far in life; when they graduate, they will carry the lessons learned, confidence gained and Cal logo proudly with them forever.”
Wilson’s Long Beach State program totaled 14 All-Big West Team accolades, including nine first-team selections, in four years of awards – the 2020 award slate was canceled due to COVID-19 – along with the 2021 Big West Player of the Year, Hunter Epson, and three Big West Freshmen of the Year. His 2021 Big West Championship squad registered a pair of runner-up efforts, four top-five finishes and six top-10 showings in nine stroke-play tournaments.
Wilson’s collegiate coaching career started at Washington, where he was an assistant coach for three seasons (2014-17). He helped the Huskies improve their finish at the Pac-12 Championship in each of his three seasons, including a tie for third place in 2016-17 as Wilson managed the team while head coach Alan Murray was on paternity leave. The Huskies reached an NCAA Regional in all three seasons and placed 15th at the 2015 NCAA Championship.
Wilson entered the coaching ranks following three years of playing on the Canadian Professional Golf Tour, later known as PGA Tour Canada. He worked as an assistant golf professional and the lead golf instructor at Santa Lucia Preserve in Carmel prior to arriving at Washington.
Wilson’s collegiate playing career was dotted with accolades, including being named the 2003 Pac-10 Conference Co-Freshman of the Year. He also earned a spot on the All-Pac-10 second team that season after posting a 71.9 scoring average, which was the best mark by a freshman in program history at the time. A sophomore on Cal’s 2004 NCAA title squad, Wilson’s third- and fourth-round scores of 69 and 71, respectively, were crucial components in the team’s championship run.
Wilson won three career individual tournament titles as a Golden Bear – then tied for the most in program history – was twice recognized as an All-America Scholar by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) and was a three-time Pac-10 All-Academic Team honoree.
THE MICHAEL WILSON FILE
Personal
Hometown: Pacific Grove, California
Birthday: February 8, 1984
Family: Wife: Courtney; Son: Ben
Alma Mater: California, 2007 (mass communications)
Social Media: X/Twitter: @CoachWilsonCal | Instagram: @mwilsongolf
Coaching Experience
2014-17: Washington (Assistant Coach)
2017-22: Long Beach State (Head Coach)
2022-24: Colorado State (Head Coach)
2024-Present: California (Head Coach)
Playing Experience:
2002-06: California
2007-10: Canadian Professional Golf Tour
