The Tigers have enjoyed more top leaderboard spots under Brian Yaniger's tutelage than at any other time in the program's history.

In his 16^th year as the head coach of Towson's golf program, Brian has never stopped the building process that is resulting in the Tigers' lofty place in the very competitive Colonial Athletic Association. The Tigers are just a few years removed from winning their first CAA Championship in 2010.

In addition to the team successes that continue, Towson's individual players are posting low scores and earning high marks with such honors as Player of the Year, All-CAA, All-Tournament and All-Academic. Two of his former players were named to the prestigious CAA Silver Anniversary Team.

The grandest of prizes in college golf is a trip to the NCAA post-season tournament. Under Brian the Tigers have four appearances in that annual event.

In the early seasons of his career, Brian led the Tigers to the top of the America East Conference, winning that league's tournament title three out of four years.

In 2002 Towson moved to the Colonial Athletic Association where golf among its southern schools is a way of life and draws national attention. Even though the Tigers face a number of CAA opponents who are traditionally ranked among the nation's 150 collegiate elite, Brian has been able to keep Towson's post-season fires lit.

With the Tigers clawing their way to second and third place CAA finishes in 2005 and 2004 respectively, Towson earned at-large berths to the NCAA Tournament.

In 2007 Towson threw another challenge at Brian in the form of developing a women's program. His expectations for its success are high. He set the same kinds of goals for the men a decade ago. He figures to make it work again.

"I don't change swings or alter grips," Brian says. "I teach our golfers to make the right decisions on the golf course. I prepare them to mentally play the round, to think about each shot."

As much as he stresses the mental parts of the game, Brian realizes there's room for physical development as well.

"We provide all of the tools for our players to work in the strength and conditioning areas," Brian says. "To compete today, you have to more physically fit. Our opponents are so we will be too."

Brian's philosophy has produced positive results for Towson. His teams have captured nine tournament titles, four conference championships and earned four trips to the NCAA Tournament in his 16 years.

Three of his golfers were conference medalists. He has coached three first-team All-CAA selections. Two of his players (Jeff Castle and Billy Wingerd) were named CAA Golfer of the Year; another (Alex Brueggeman) was the conference's Rookie of the Year.

Academically Brian's charges are well above par in the classroom. His squads have achieved the highest team GPA among the men's varsity squads. One of Brian's players, Mike Larkin, was honored as the CAA's Scholar-Athlete for Golf. Another player, Nyasha Mauchaza, was selected as a first team Arthur Ashe Scholar All-American

During his coaching career at Towson, Brian has been named CAA Coach of the Year three times (2004, 2005, 2010), America East Coach of the Year twice (1999, 2000) and Towson Coach of the Year for men's sports twice (2005, 2010). In 2005 he was honored as Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year. These accolades make him one of the most decorated coaches in Towson's athletics history.

Brian's first experience in coaching was in 1993 as head coach for the Baltimore Girls Maccabi Basketball team. During his tenure as coach his teams have won one gold and six silver medals in the Maccabi Games.

A graduate of nearby Loyola College, Brian was the Greyhounds' golf team captain in 1972 after playing number two at Milford Mill High School during his interscholastic career. In 1972, he led Loyola to the St. Andrews (Scotland) International Intercollegiate Tournament held at the historic course, and site of the 2000 British Open.

For almost three decades, Brian was a sales representative for Safeguard Business Systems. Before joining the business community, Brian spent time in the communications world. First, he interned at WBAL-TV in the news department, working occasionally with local legendary sportscaster Vince Bagli. He then worked as a disc jockey at WETT-Radio in Ocean City, Maryland in 1973.

Looking for a more sports oriented environment, Brian accepted a position at WJZ-TV as weekend sports anchor in 1974. He also spent time as a stringer for National Public Radio (NPR). The highlight of that position was an interview with Muhammad Ali just before the 1973 fight with Joe Frazier.

A native of Baltimore, Brian currently resides in Baltimore City with his wife Linda, a Towson graduate.

He is the father of three children, Sindy (Maryland, '96), Amy (Maryland,' 2002) and Lance, a former All-County nose tackle at Owings Mills High School. Lance is a 2011 graduate of Towson University while Sindy earned her Master's degree from Towson.

BRIAN'S SCORECARD