LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Former touring professional golfer and Rebel All-American Andres Gonzales has been named the fourth full-time head coach in the proud history of the men's golf program at UNLV, Director of Athletics Erick Harper announced today.

Gonzales, who played at UNLV from 2003-06 and was the roommate of 2004 NCAA individual champion Ryan Moore, returns to Las Vegas after a professional career that saw him compete five years on the PGA Tour and six years on the Korn Ferry Tour. He has spent the last four years (2022-26) as part of the broadcast team for PGA Tour LIVE on ESPN+. In addition, he is the co-founder and COO of PLT Golf (Professional Leisure Tour), which is a luxury golf and athleisure apparel brand.

"Bringing Andres Gonzales back to UNLV is an exciting moment for our men's golf program," said Harper. "Andres represents everything we want in a head coach -- championship experience, a deep connection to the Rebel family, and a genuine commitment to developing student-athletes on and off the course. He understands the tradition and expectations of UNLV Golf, and we are confident he has the vision, relationships, and competitive drive to keep this program on the national stage and in the championship conversation year after year. We are thrilled to welcome Andres and his family home to Las Vegas."

During his time as a Rebel, Gonzales was a PING Third-Team All-American, both a Mountain West all-conference and academic all-conference honoree, and a Ben Hogan Award semifinalist. In his four years on campus, he registered a tournament victory (2006 William H. Tucker Invitational), a team-leading scoring average (72.08) in 2005-06, 14 top-20 finishes with five top-10 and three top-5 finishes, as well as a career scoring average (72.79) that still ranks 21st in program history.

Additionally, Gonzales helped his Scarlet & Gray squads reach the NCAA Championship twice and a NCAA Regional three times, to go with five team wins that included a 2005 NCAA West Regional victory. Individually, he competed in two NCAA Championship finals (with his best finish coming in 2005 when he tied for eighth), placed 12th twice at the MW Championship, and turned in a top-15 NCAA Regional finish.

"Outside of my family, golf has given me everything in my life, and UNLV played a major role in that journey," Gonzales said. "My time as a Rebel student-athlete helped build the foundation that allowed me to reach the highest level of the game. My coaches, my teammates, and the city of Las Vegas shaped who I am as a golfer and as a person, and I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to come home and lead this program.

"I want to thank President Chris Heavey and Director of Athletics Erick Harper for their belief in me and for trusting me with the future of UNLV Men's Golf. This program has a proud championship history, and I'm honored to return with a plan to build on that tradition. I know what it takes to compete with the best players in the world, and I can't wait to share that experience with our team as we work to bring another NCAA Championship to UNLV. Go Rebels!"

On the PGA Tour, Gonzales finished in the top 25 15 times with one top-3 finish, three top-5 performances, and six top-10 efforts. He also made two major starts, including the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club and the 2012 U.S. Open at The Olympic Club.

Gonzales earned his PGA Tour card through Q-School in December of 2010. His professional career, which spanned 15 years, also saw him achieve success with two wins on the former Web.com Tour (currently known as the Korn Ferry Tour), a Canadian Tour win at the 2009 Saskatchewan Open, and two victories on the Gateway Tour.

Originally from Olympia, Washington, Gonzales graduated with a bachelor of science degree in communications studies in 2006. He and his wife, Kristin, have three children.

At UNLV, Gonzales takes over one of the nation's top collegiate golf brands. The Rebels have qualified for NCAA Regionals 34 times, including 13 top-8 finishes, the NCAA Championship 23 times, and won the national championship in 1998. The Rebels have also produced two individual national champions, and UNLV alumni have earned 34 wins on the PGA Tour, including 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott.

Gonzales is the first former player to lead the Rebel men's golf program and the ninth alumni of UNLV from any sport to later be named a head coach at the school. Michael "Chub" Drakulich became UNLV's first full-time head golf coach in 1972, Hall of Fame coach Dwaine Knight took over in fall 1987, and Jean-Paul Hebert was the third in 2022.