UCLA hires Braden as track coach

Bonners Ferry High School standout alumni runner Forest Braden has been hired to assist the UCLA track and field teams for 2010 and beyond.

Head coaches Jeanette Bolden and Mike Maynard announced Braden’s hiring along with assistants LaMonte Vaughn and Johnny Gray.

Braden comes to UCLA after having served as a volunteer distance coach at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., last season, where he worked closely with standout distance coach Pat Tyson.

Braden was an All-American runner for Coach Mike Maynard at Boise State from 2002-2007, earning accolades in cross country and both indoor and outdoor track. He also won seven WAC titles at Boise State.

“I am thrilled to be on board with the premier athletic university in the country,” said Braden. “I am ready to help bring the UCLA distance squads back to conference and national prominence and will dedicate myself to building a program based on hard work, integrity, and trust.”

“I look forward to coaching some amazing student-athletes and working with one of the best coaching staffs in the country to help bring more conference championships and NCAA titles to UCLA,” he added.