SANTA BARBARA, Calif., – UC Santa Barbara Men's Golf has announced the addition of former Gaucho Ryan Gay as an assistant coach, bringing a familiar face back to the program following the conclusion of his collegiate playing career.
Head Coach Chris Massoletti expressed his excitement about Gay's transition into coaching, pointing to the leadership he demonstrated throughout his time as a Gaucho.
"I can't tell you how excited I am to have Ryan on board in this new coaching role," Massoletti said. "He has always been a leader while competing for us, so this was an easy and perfect transition for him and the program. He is super positive and brings a ton of energy each and every day. He understands what it takes to compete at a high level and will be a phenomenal resource for the guys. This is a major step in the right direction for the program, and I look forward to working alongside him."
Gay spent the past two seasons competing for UC Santa Barbara, appearing in 21 total tournaments and 63 rounds for the Gauchos. In this past year, he competed in all 10 tournaments during the 2025-26 season and posted a 73.2 scoring average across 30 rounds. He finished under par in four tournaments, highlighted by a runner-up finish at the UCSB Gaucho Invite at five-under. Gay capped his final season with a top 10 finish at the 2026 Big West Championships, finishing the tournament two-under par. He continued his success following the season, winning the FGC Amateur Championship in June with a seven-under performance.
During his first season with the Gauchos in 2024-25, Gay recorded nine rounds under par and finished runner-up at the Van Harte Orange County Collegiate Classic, typing the best individual finish by a Gaucho that season. He also helped the Blue and Gold record their best team finish at the Big West Championships since the 2020-21 season.
Gay also represented the men's golf program on UC Santa Barbara's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee during the 2025-26 academic year. In the role, he contributed to discussions surrounding the student-athlete experience while supporting community outreach and efforts to strengthen connections across Gaucho Athletics.
Gay's ties to the Santa Barbara golf community extend beyond his time with the Gauchos. Before transferring to UC Santa Barbara, he competed for two seasons at Santa Barbara City College, where he won the Western State Conference Individual championship and earned WSC Most Valuable Player honors. Gay won four tournaments during his time with the Vaqueros and was named the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table's Golfer of the Year.
Now transitioning from the course to the coaching staff, Gay brings recent experience within the program and familiarity with Gaucho golf into his new role as an assistant coach.
