Forest Braden Position: Assistant Coach - Long Distance Experience: 3rd Season Alma Mater: Boise State '07

Forest Braden enters his third year with the Bruins where he coaches the long distance runners. Prior to coming to Westwood, he spent the 2008 season as a volunteer assistant with Gonzaga University where he worked closely with standout distance coach Pat Tyson in recruiting and facilitating training sessions.

Last season, the Bruins had two sub-9-minute steeplechasers in Jake Matthews (8:57.55) and David McDonald (8:59.30) as both scored at Pac-10s.

The long distance runners thrived under Braden's leadership in his first season at UCLA as Dylan Knight led the way in the steeplechase. Knight ran a lifetime-best of 8:43.68 to move to fifth all-time in UCLA history, competed at the NCAA Outdoor meet and was the Pac-10 runner-up in the event. Spencer Knight (8:57.95) and David McDonald (9:10.80) also ran lifetime-best marks in the steeple. Marco Anzures moved to fifth all-time in the 10,000m (29:00.21) and also ran a lifetime-best of 14:07.69 in the 5000m. Alex Crabill was a provisional qualifier for the indoor meet in the 3000m (8:03.07) and also ran the No. 6 marathon time in UCLA history (2:20.38).

Prior to his coaching stint at Gonzaga, Braden was a three-time All-American runner for coach Mike Maynard at Boise State from 2002-2007, earning accolades in indoor and outdoor track as well as cross country. He also won seven Western Athletic Conference titles as a Bronco.

Braden also ran for Team Indiana Elite for one year and placed in the top-10 in five USATF Championship meets.