Coaches

Chris Kosiba

Head Coach

Chris Kosiba, who served as interim coach of the men’s golf team during the 2007 spring season, will remain as the team’s head coach and will also become the first head coach of the newly added women’s golf program at New York University.

Last spring, Kosiba led the Violets to victories at the MIT Jack Barry Invitational (April 28) and at the Stevens Institute of Technology Invitational (April 30). The squad also produced a second-place finish at the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship, which was held at the Orange County National Golf Course in Orlando, Florida (April 22-23).

Kosiba will have a strong group of players returning for the 2007-08 season.

Michael Leibfried returns following a freshman campaign in which he was selected UAA Rookie of the Year and earned First Team All-UAA honors after shooting a four-under par 68 in the opening round and finishing fourth overall at the UAA Championship. Leibfried also won the individual title at the Stevens Invitational and tied for second place at the NYU Violet Classic. In recognition of his outstanding performance, Leibfried was selected PING Division III Third Team All-American, All-Northeast Region and All-Freshman,

Adam Krainson, who won the individual title at MIT and placed second at both Stevens and at the Violet Classic (along with Leibfried), returns for his senior season, as does Matt McGinnis, who finished fifth at MIT and sixth at the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Metro Championship.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead an established Division III men's golf program that has experienced great success in the recent past and should continue to compete among the nation’s elite,” said Kosiba of an NYU program that qualified for three consecutive NCAA Division III Golf Championships (2004-06). “I’m also excited to be part of the atmosphere and energy that starting a women’s golf program from the ground up will create.”

Kosiba will also continue to serve as an assistant coach of NYU’s women’s basketball team. He has been on the staff since the 2003-04 season, and during that period the Violets have posted a 91-21 record and have made three trips to the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament, including an appearance in the Final Four in 2007.

Before arriving at NYU, Kosiba served as the head women’s basketball coach, as well as the athletic facility coordinator, women’s recruiting coordinator, and the assistant women’s volleyball coach at Hilbert College during the 2001-02 season. Among his many duties, Kosiba was responsible for recruiting and budgeting for the women’s basketball team, as well as for all of the College’s athletic facilities.

Prior to his stint at Hilbert, Kosiba served as the assistant women’s basketball coach at Guilford College from 1999-2001. While there, he helped lead Guilford to an Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship and to a second-round appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Kosiba also served as a graduate assistant coach at Division I Western Illinois University from 1997-99.

A 1997 graduate of Guilford with a degree in exercise and sports science, Kosiba was a four-year letterwinner and two-time co-captain of the men’s varsity basketball team. He was twice named the team’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Kosiba, who is currently pursuing a master’s degree in science and physical education from Western Illinois, is a native of Tampa, Florida, and resides on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Todd Spenla

Assistant Coach

Todd Spenla is in his first year as the assistant golf coach of the New York University men’s and women’s golf teams. Along with assisting head coach Chris Kosiba during practice sessions and at competitions, Spenla will also help in overall player skill development and in the day-to-day operations of the NYU golf program.

Spenla comes to NYU with an impressive background in the game. At Riverview High School in Sarasota, Florida, he was the best-ranked golfer in the state and received over 30 letters of intent from different colleges and universities. He won the state championship while there, and recorded the lowest nine-hole score (31) in Sarasota County.

Spenla went on to attend Florida State University (1985-87) on a full golf scholarship before transferring to Santa Barbara City College (1988-1990), also on a full scholarship.

Coach Spenla's experience as a competitive collegiate golfer and assistant golf professional, as well as his success in the business world are tremendous assets to add to the NYU golf program,“ Kosiba said.

Spenla, who played in various tournaments on California’s Golden State Tour, served as the assistant golf professional at the Valley Club in Santa Barbara, CA, from 1988-91, and at the Riviera Golf Club in Los Angeles as the assistant golf professional from 1991-93. Hs responsibilities during that time included organizing corporate tournaments, as well as other administrative duties.

A partner and co-founder of Microbanc, Inc, a private equity New York based firm, Spenla is a native of Sarasota and currently resides in Manhattan.

Matt Huck

Assistant Coach

Matt Huck is in his second season as an assistant coach with the New York University golf program. Also serving as the Business Manager for NYU's Department of Athletics, Huck will primarily assist with day-to-day operations for both teams.

From an organizational standpoint, Huck possesses plenty of collegiate golf experience. An Assistant Director of Athletics/Business at Fordham University (2001-06), he served as the Atlantic 10 Conference Golf Committee chairperson for one year (2005-06) after serving on the committee for three years (2002-2005).

Huck also served as Fordham’s golf moderator (1999-2006), overseeing equipment, travel and recruiting. In addition, he was a Fordham University Golf Classic Committee member for his seven years at the Bronx-based institution.

Prior to his stint at Fordham, Huck served as communications manager for the Metropolitan Golf Association (1996-98).

A 1994 graduate of Hobart College with a bachelor of science degree in economics, Huck went on to receive his master’s degree in sports management from Adelphi University in 1996.

Huck resides on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, and has a four-year-old daughter Gabby.