NORMAN, Okla. — Cal State San Bernardino men's golf assistant coach Troy Nielsen has been named a finalist for the 2026 Jan Strickland Outstanding Assistant Coach Award, presented by TaylorMade Golf Company.

The Strickland Award is presented annually to an assistant coach across all collegiate divisions who has demonstrated excellence in developing student-athletes both on the course and in the classroom. Two recipients will be selected—one from Division I and one from the non-Division I ranks.

Nielsen is one of three non-Division I finalists, alongside Arrianna Custodio (Cal State East Bay) and David Rosenbaum (Meridian College, NJCAA).

Now in his fifth season alongside head coach Kyle Emerson, Nielsen has helped guide the Coyotes to continued success. CSUSB has recorded six top-three finishes this season, highlighted by team victories at the Hanny Stanislaus Invitational on April 14 and the Coyote Classic on March 24. CSUSB ranks 30th in the Clippd Scoreboard rankings, rising from 62nd at the beginning of the spring season.

Individually, junior Kamron Hopson (Redlands, Calif.) has been a key contributor, recording top-20 finishes in nine of his last 10 events, highlighted by a dominant seven-stroke victory at the Coyote Classic. The Coyotes have also earned continued individual recognition, as John Kim and Chris Wardrup garnered PING All-West Region honors in 2025, with Kim also earning NCAA Division II PING Third Team All-American distinction. During the 2025 season, CSUSB advanced to the NCAA National Tournament for the first time since 2009.

Nielsen's impact has played a significant role in the Coyotes' rise, both competitively and academically, as the program continues to build momentum heading into the postseason.