David Nuhn returned to his alma mater as Idaho's men's golf head coach in December 2015. A Moscow native, Nuhn graduated from the University of Idaho in 2010, after a standout career as a Vandal.
“For most coaches,” Nuhn said, “this would be their dream – to find a good position at their alma mater. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to have a positive impact on a school and community that I care about as much as I do.”
Since arriving in 2015, Nuhn has led the Vandals to success coaching players to 24 all-conference awards and recruited four Big Sky Freshman of the Year. Nuhn led the Vandals to a conference championship in 2016. At the helm, Nuhn has recorded eight consecutive seasons of 1.000% APR. As head coach, he handles recruitment, travel coordination, practice planning, and budgeting for the Vandal men's golf team.
Nuhn immediately led the Vandals to the Big Sky Conference title in his first semester at the helm. The victory was Idaho's second in as many years and Nuhn was honored as the Big Sky Coach of the Year. The team posted a program record -22 under tournament and -17 round at the Big Sky Championship. Five Vandals landed on all-conference teams. The team was also recognized for its efforts in the classroom as a Golf Coaches Association of America All-Academic team.
The 2016-17 team featured two second-team All-Big Sky selections in Ryan Porch and Enrique Marin.
Under Nuhn's guidance, Marin carried his momentum into a strong junior season in 2017-18. He finished third at the Big Sky Championships, helping the Vandals take third as a team. Marin posted Idaho's lowest score in 28 of the team's 33 rounds on the year.
Nuhn embodies the spirit of a Vandal, earning the Idaho Vandal Staff Member Educator of the Year award in 2019. In this season he coached his first of many Big Sky Freshman of the Year, Colt Sherrell.
From 2021 to 2023, Nuhn guided three consecutive athletes to the Big Sky Freshman of the Year honor featuring Jose Suryadinata (2021), Tommy McKenzie (2022), and Joe Sykes (2023).
In the 2022-23 season, Nuhn led the Vandals to two regular season wins, including the 2023 Chambers Bay-Redhawk Invitational. The Vandals defeated top 60 teams Michigan State and Oregon State, winning the event by 11 strokes.
Since graduating, Nuhn has earned his PGA of America certification and plays professionally as a member of the Pacific Northwest PGA. Prior to taking over as Idaho's head coach, Nuhn served as an assistant at Washington State and as the assistant professional at the U of I Golf Course.
Leading Idaho's program allows Nuhn the opportunity to follow many of his passions, including helping teenagers transition into adults.
“You get a fulfillment seeing these kids grow on and off the golf course,” said Nuhn. “It’s something I really enjoy. We strive to be better golfers, students and people here at Idaho golf, and my role is to assist with that growth anyway that I can."
When he attended Idaho, Nuhn earned a Bachelor's in Political Science in 2010. As a player, he was a member of the Idaho golf team from 2007-10 and the Lewis-Clark State golf team from 2005-06. In high school he was crowned the 2005 4A Idaho State Champion representing Moscow High. Nuhn's lowest tournament score was 62 (-9) in the final round of the 2018 Rosauers Open.
Nuhn's parents, Ken and Theresa attended Idaho as well as his brother, John and his wife, Paula.
He and his wife have three children, son Ben and daughters Mattea and Sydney.
