Support Staff

Director of Player Personnel 4th Season Murray State ’07

T.J. Wolf enters his fourth season on the UCLA men’s basketball staff in 2022-23. He serves as the program’s Director of Player Personnel. Wolf played college basketball at Murray State under head coach Mick Cronin and joined UCLA’s staff in July of 2019. He was hired as the program’s Director of Student-Athlete Development. Prior to moving to Los Angeles, Wolf had spent the previous six seasons on the men’s basketball staff at Cincinnati. He served as the video coordinator and the Director of Student-Athlete Development during his six-year tenure with the Bearcats, working for Coach Cronin. In his current role, Wolf assists UCLA’s program with the dayto-day schedules of student-athletes, advanced scouting of upcoming opponents, film edits and video analysis. Through the past three seasons, the Bruins have compiled an overall record of 68-30. UCLA finished in second place in the Pac-12 in 2019-20 and 2021-22 and fourth place in 202021. The Bruins advanced to the NCAA Final Four in 2021, the program’s first such trip since 2008. One year later, UCLA returned to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 as a No. 4 seed in the East Region. Over the past three seasons, the Bruins have compiled a record of 23-11 in games that were decided by five points or fewer (including games that extended into overtime). The Bruins’ 2021-22 squad went 27-8 and reached the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 for the second straight year. UCLA ranked No. 1 in the Pac-12 in scoring defense (64.5 ppg allowed) for the first time since 1973-74. In addition, the Bruins were ranked No. 2 in the conference in scoring offense (75.4 ppg). UCLA went 22-10 in 2020-21, logging a 13-6 record in Pac-12 action, before advancing from the NCAA Tournament’s First Four to the Final Four. The Bruins opened that season with 13 wins in 16 games and recorded their best conference start (with an 8-0 record) since beginning the 1982-83 season with a 9-0 Pac-10 record. UCLA was one of five Pac-12 programs to advance to the NCAA Tournament and one of four to move on to the Sweet 16 (along with Oregon, USC and Oregon State). The Bruins engineered a strong turnaround midway through the 2019-20 season, finishing with a 19-12 record and a secondplace finish in the Pac-12. Wolf began working alongside Coach Cronin in August 2013 at Cincinnati, serving as the Bearcats’ video coordinator. He was elevated to the role of Director of Student-Athlete Development in August 2016. He had arrived at Cincinnati from Martinsville High School (Martinsville, Ind.), where he had served as the school’s assistant varsity basketball coach since 2007. Among his duties at Martinsville included editing film, coordinating daily practices, preparing scouting reports and conducting individual workouts. He also served as an academic supervisor, summer league coach and summer camp director. Wolf graduated from Martinsville High School, the same school that former UCLA coach John Wooden attended in the 1920s. Wolf was a standout point guard for Martinsville (1998-2002), concluding his high school career as the school’s all-time assist leader and as the No. 2 all-time scorer. He helped the Artesians win the sectional championship in 2002 and was named an all-state selection. Wolf was a four-time all-conference and allsectional honoree and a two-time Metro West Player of the Year selection. Collegiately, Wolf played three seasons at Murray State under the direction of Coach Cronin (2004-06). He helped lead the Racers to the 2006 Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) regular-season title, as well as conference tournament titles and NCAA Tournament appearances in 2004 and 2006. During those three seasons, Murray State compiled an overall record of 69-24. Wolf, 39, earned his undergraduate degree in education from Murray State in 2007 and his Master’s degree from American College of Education (Indianapolis, Ind.) in January 2013.

Director of Student-Athlete Development 4th Season Cincinnati ’19

Nate Georgeton enters his fourth season on the UCLA men’s basketball staff in 202223. He joined the Bruins’ program in the summer of 2019 after having graduated from the University of Cincinnati. Georgeton serves as the UCLA program’s Director of StudentAthlete Development. He assists the coaches with a variety of responsibilities, especially those within video analysis. Georgeton oversees the program’s postgame video edits, as well as practice film and scouting assessments. He plays a major role in managing recruiting databases and schedules. He was hired as the team’s video coordinator when he arrived in the summer of 2019. Through the past three seasons, UCLA has compiled a 68-30 record. The Bruins finished in second place in the Pac-12 in 2019-20 and 2021-22 and in fourth place in 2020-21. UCLA advanced to the NCAA Final Four in 2021. One year later, the Bruins returned to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 as a No. 4 seed in the East Region. Over the past three seasons, UCLA has gone 23-11 in games decided by five points or fewer (including games that extended into overtime). The Bruins’ 2021-22 squad went 27-8 and reached the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 for the second straight year. UCLA ranked No. 1 in the Pac-12 in scoring defense (64.5 ppg allowed) for the first time since 1973-74. In addition, the Bruins were ranked No. 2 in the conference in scoring offense (75.4 ppg). UCLA went 22-10 in 2020-21, logging a 13-6 record in Pac-12 action. The Bruins opened their season with 13 wins in 16 games and recorded their best conference start (with an 8-0 record) since beginning the 1982-83 season with a 9-0 Pac-10 record. UCLA was one of five Pac-12 programs to advance to the NCAA Tournament and one of four to move on to the Sweet 16 (along with Oregon, USC and Oregon State). The Bruins engineered a strong turnaround in 2019-20, finishing with a 19-12 record and a second-place finish in the Pac-12. In 2018-19, Georgeton served as student manager on Mick Cronin’s staff at Cincinnati while he was pursuing his undergraduate studies. He served as the team’s primary video coordinator that season, as the Bearcats went 28-7 and won the American Athletic Conference Tournament before advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the ninth straight season. Georgeton graduated from the University of Cincinnati with his bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus in sports administration and business. He spent his first two years of college at Northwood University (Division II), competing for the men’s basketball team in Midland, Mich. As a sophomore at Northwood (2017-18), he averaged 5.7 points and 2.4 assists per game, starting in 23 of 27 games. He did not play as a freshman in 2016-17, as he recovered from a knee injury (torn anterior cruciate ligament). Georgeton, 26, was a three-year varsity basketball letterwinner at Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.

NATE GIRMA

Athletic Performance 2nd Season Seattle Pacific ’12

Nate Girma enters his second season as the men’s basketball team’s athletic performance coach. Girma returned to UCLA in Oct. 2021 after having assisted the Bruins’ program from 2018-20. Girma oversees all aspects of the men’s basketball team’s strength and conditioning program. The 2022-23 season will mark UCLA’s sixth season using the state-of-the-art Kevin Love Strength and Conditioning Center, located on the second level of the Mo Ostin Basketball Center (opened in October 2017). Girma played a vital role in UCLA’s success during the 202122 season as the Bruins’ director of athletic performance. UCLA compiled a 27-8 record and finished in second place in the Pac12 Conference, advancing to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16. The Bruins were ranked in each week’s top 25 poll (both AP and Coaches) throughout the 2021-22 campaign, finishing the year ranked No. 11 in the weekly Coaches’ Poll. During the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, Girma assisted the UCLA men’s basketball team in a variety of athletic performance activities. His previous responsibilities had included the development of athletic performance training plans, sports science and nutrition. Girma had previously served in similar capacities at the University of Washington and UC San Diego. While working at UC San Diego from 2015-17, Girma was the primary strength and conditioning coach for multiple athletic teams, including the baseball and water polo programs. He assisted with performance training responsibilities with the UCSD men’s and women’s basketball teams and managed the lifting schedules for 23 varsity athletic programs. Prior to his time in San Diego, Girma worked as a performance coach in the Seattle area and served as an intern strength and conditioning coach at the University of Washington (2013-14). He worked with the men’s basketball program at Washington and assisted with training for numerous Olympic sport teams. Girma has also worked as a strength coach within the UCLA Recreation Office. His duties with the recreation office have included the instruction of multiple health and wellness programs for a variety of campus communities. A Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Girma graduated from Seattle Pacific University in 2012 with his bachelor’s degree in exercise science. He also earned his master’s degree in exercise science from California University of Pennsylvania in 2016. Girma, 33, also has his certification as a Performance Enhancement Specialist from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Born and raised in Seattle, Girma was a four-year varsity basketball letterwinner at Seattle Prep before attending Seattle Pacific University.

TYLER LESHER

Staff Athletic Trainer 2nd Season New Mexico State ’19

Dr. Tyler Lesher enters his second season as the UCLA men’s basketball team’s athletic trainer in 2022-23. In his current role, Lesher handles all dayto-day athletic training responsibilities and oversees multiple sports medicine interns. He joined the UCLA athletic training and sports medicine department in October 2021. Lesher, who hails from Wyoming, spent the 2020-21 academic year as an assistant athletic trainer at Florida Atlantic University. Prior to his time at FAU, he spent four years working in the NBA and the NBA’s G League. Lesher served as the head athletic trainer/strength and conditioning specialist for the Greensboro Swarm, the Charlotte Hornets’ NBA G League affiliate from August 2017 until November 2020. His first opportunity in the NBA took place with the Cleveland Cavaliers. While in Cleveland (Sept. 2016 until May 2017), Lesher served as an intern athletic trainer. He was the head strength and conditioning/assistant athletic trainer for the Canton Charge, the Cavs’ NBA G League affiliate. After he earned his bachelor’s degree in athletic training from New Mexico State University in 2014, Lesher worked as a men’s basketball graduate assistant athletic trainer for Chico State. He earned his master’s degree in kinesiology at Chico State while on the job from 2014 to 2015. Lesher, 33, is a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Certified Orthopedic Physician Extender (OPE-C), Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) and Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES). He earned his Doctorate in Health Science and Exercise Leadership from California University of Pennsylvania, focusing reducing systemic inflammation through nutrition and exercise, in the fall of 2021.

Associate Athletic Director 9th Season UC Santa Barbara, ’93

Chris Carlson his ninth year as an Associate Athletic Director at UCLA. Carlson provides oversight and direction of the men’s basketball program. Among his multiple reponsibilities, Carlson helps manage the budget of men’s basketball-related activity. In addition to his work with the men’s basketball team, he oversees the men’s tennis, women’s tennis, men’s golf and women’s golf programs. This marks Carlson’s 13th year working at UCLA, having served as Director of Operations for the men’s basketball program from 2004-07. He returned to UCLA in October 2014 after having spent the 2013-14 season as Associate Commissioner of the West Coast Conference. Carlson served as the head men’s basketball coach at UC San Diego for six seasons (2007-08 through 2012-13), helping the Tritons make three postseason appearances. He made an immediate impact in 2007-08, leading the Tritons to an 18-12 overall record, the program’s best mark since 1998-99. That season, UC San Diego captured the program’s first-ever CCAA Tournament title before earning a No. 8 seed in its first NCAA Tournament appearance at the Division II level. His team posted a 17-11 mark in 2008-09 before earning a No. 4 seed in that season’s conference tournament. A San Diego native, Carlson was part of two Final Four teams at UCLA (2006, 2007). Prior to joining the Bruins in 2004, he served as Director of Operations for the men’s basketball program at the University of Pittsburgh (2001-02, 2002-03). Prior to that, he spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Northern Arizona (1999-01). Carlson began his coaching career at his alma mater, UC Santa Barbara, where he served as an assistant coach from 1994-98. He graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 1993 with his bachelor’s degree in history. Carlson and his wife, Karen, have two sons, Nick and Charlie. His older son, Nick, plays on the men’s basketball team at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

ALEX TIMIRAOS

Athletic Communications 17th Season Boston College ’06

Alex Timiraos enters his 17th year working in the UCLA athletic communications office in 2021-22, his 11th season as the contact for the men’s basketball team. Timiraos oversees all aspects of media relations with the men’s basketball program, handling day-to-day interview and credential requests, editing various publications (including the information guide) and overseeing the team’s social media accounts. He also serves as the primary contact in the athletic communications office for the women’s rowing program. During his 10 seasons with the men’s basketball program, the Bruins have advanced to the NCAA Tournament seven times (with five trips to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16). Timiraos served as the primary contact for the baseball and men’s and women’s water polo teams during his first six years at UCLA. He accompanied the UCLA baseball team to the College World Series in 2010 and 2012. Prior to UCLA, Timiraos spent his four undergraduate years (2003-06) working as a student assistant in the athletic media relations office at Boston College. A lifelong Los Angeles resident, Timiraos graduated from Boston College in May 2006, earning a bachelor of arts degree in communication.

Marketing 7th Season Indiana ’12

Dana Weber begins her seventh season working in UCLA’s athletics department in 2022-23, serving as the Assistant Athletic Director, Marketing. Weber serves as the primary contact for all men’s basketball-related marketing initiatives and various promotional and community relations items. In addition to working with the men’s basketball program, Weber has worked with UCLA’s football program, the women’s basketball team and the water polo programs. Mayeron arrived at UCLA in July 2016 after spending over four years with Indiana University’s athletic department. She began as a marketing intern at Indiana in July 2011 before being promoted to Director of Marketing and Fan Experience. During her time at Indiana, she collaborated on promotional efforts for the football, men’s basketball, water polo, softball and soccer programs. Originally from the Ft. Lauderdale area, Weber competed on the women’s water polo team at Indiana University. She earned her bachelor of arts degree from Indiana in journalism and fine arts history.

BEN BALDWIN

Equipment Manager 1st Season Washington State ’20

Ben Baldwin enters his first season at UCLA working with the men’s basketball program as the team’s equipment manager. He also works with the UCLA men’s and women’s golf programs. Baldwin, who grew up in Portland, Ore., spent the 2021-22 school year working in the equipment room at the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB). While at UAB, he facilitated equipment responsibilities across all 18 varsity athletic teams. As an undergraduate student at Washington State, Baldwin worked for four years as a student equipment manger with the Cougars’ men’s basketball program. He also served an internship working with the Portland Timbers (Major League Soccer). Baldwin earned his bachelor of arts degree in business administration from Washington State in 2020.

Staff Associate 2nd Season Gonzaga ’18

Charlie Ibarra enters her second year working with the UCLA men’s basketball team as the program’s staff associate. Her primary responsibilities include office management and day-to-day administrative responsibilities for head coach Mick Cronin and the Bruins’ coaching staff. Ibarra worked in the athletic department’s Sales and Service office for three years, selling season tickets for football and men’s basketball games. She finished in the top three in ticket sales in 2019-20. In addition, Ibarra assisted with UCLA’s return-to-training COVID-19 testing iniative for athletic games and practices across all sports during the 2020-21 school year. The department’s return-to-training iniative helped make athletic seasons possible in a spectator-free environment. Ibarra graduated with her undergraduate degree in business administration (concentration in finance) and a minor in sport management from Gonzaga University in 2018. As an undergraduate student at Gonzaga, Ibarra worked in the athletic department’s administration office and game management office for three years.