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

Forest Braden enters his third year with the Bruins coaching the long distance runners. During the 2011 season, Braden coached Shannon Murakami to a seventh-place finish in the 10,000m (36:40.70) at Pac-10s. Two of his male steeplechasers, Jake Matthews and David McDonald, both scored at the Pac-10 meet in the steeple.

In Braden's first year coaching the long distance runners at UCLA, the Bruins found great success. Murakami posted lifetime-best marks in the 1500m (4:25.10), mile (4:49.24) and 5000m (16:28.97, #8 all-time at UCLA)) and was an NCAA provisional qualifier in the 3000m with a lifetime-best mark of 9:30.01. Kelcie Wiemann ran the No. 3 mark in UCLA history in the 10,000m (34:58.17).

Prior to coming to Westwood, Braden spent the 2008 season as a volunteer assistant with Gonzaga University. While at Gonzaga, Braden worked closely with standout distance coach Pat Tyson in recruiting and facilitating training sessions. Before his coaching career began, Braden was a three-time All-American runner for UCLA men's head 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.