Alex Golesh was named co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach for the UCF football team in January of 2020. He came to Orlando after four seasons at Iowa State as tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator.
Behind Golesh's efforts, Iowa State's recruiting sky-rocketed, recording four of the best classes in school history. The last four Cyclone recruiting classes have all ranked in the nation's top 50, including a pair of top-40 classes. The 2019 Iowa State recruiting class was the best in school history according to 247Sports, ranking No. 39 nationally and compiling a program-best .8550 composite rating. Then the Cyclones' 2020 early class signed in December ranked 43rd by 247Sports.
Golesh mentored all-conference performers at tight end in 2017, 2018 and 2019, as the Cyclones recorded a pair of 8-5 seasons and back-to-back bowl berths in 2017 and 2018. In 2018 Iowa State broke its school record for conference victories in a season (six), tying for third in the Big 12 for the best conference finish 40 years. In 2019 the Cyclones ended 7-6 after an appearance in the Camping World Bowl in Orlando, for their third consecutive bowl invitation—with their five regular-season defeats coming by a combined 21 points.
In the season before Golesh came to Ames, Iowa State tight ends caught a combined five passes in 2015. In 2019 Cyclone tight ends caught 75 passes under his direction with that sort of production a big part of Iowa State's success. In 2019 sophomore tight end starter Charlie Kolar caught 51 passes for 697 yards (most yards all-time by a Cyclone tight end in a season) and seven TDs, helping hm earn second-team All-America honors from Pro Football Focus and first-team all-Big 12 recognition, as well as first-team Academic All-America notice. That tight end production helped Iowa State in 2019 rank 11th nationally and second in the Big 12 in passing offense at 311.3 yards per game. Kolar as a freshman was a second-team all-Big 12 pick during the 2018 campaign, while tight end Chase Allen was a second-team all-Big 12 selection in 2017.
Golesh previously was the tight ends coach at Illinois in 2013 and 2015 and worked with the Illini running backs/tight ends in 2014. He was the Illinois recruiting coordinator from 2012-14, the special teams coordinator in 2015 and worked with the specialists all four years.
Golesh was on staff at Toledo for three years from 2009-2011, serving as both tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator. Golesh aided the Toledo program in securing the No. 1 recruiting class in the Mid-American Conference in consecutive years. The 2010 Rocket class was No. 1 in the league according to Rivals.com, while both Rivals and Scout.com rated the 2011 class No. 1.
Prior to going to Toledo, Golesh spent three seasons as a graduate assistant coach, two at Northern Illinois (2006-07) and one at Oklahoma State. Golesh worked with the outside linebackers at Oklahoma State in 2008, helping the Cowboys to a 9-4 record and a berth in the Holiday Bowl. At Northern Illinois, Golesh worked for one season with the secondary and one with the offensive line, helping the Huskies make the 2006 Poinsettia Bowl.
Golesh got his start in the coaching business as a student assistant coach while attending Ohio State as an undergraduate. He spent two and a half years aiding the Buckeyes' defensive coaches while working with the defensive line. During his time at Ohio State, the Buckeyes claimed the 2005 Big Ten championship and went on to earn a victory in the Fiesta Bowl over Notre Dame. Golesh also spent one year as a defensive line coach in a first-year football program at newly opened Westerville Central (Ohio) High School in 2003.
Golesh was born in Moscow, Russia, but grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and Dublin, Ohio, where he was a three-year letter-winner in football at Dublin Scioto High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in education from Ohio State in 2006.
Behind Golesh's efforts, Iowa State's recruiting sky-rocketed, recording four of the best classes in school history. The last four Cyclone recruiting classes have all ranked in the nation's top 50, including a pair of top-40 classes. The 2019 Iowa State recruiting class was the best in school history according to 247Sports, ranking No. 39 nationally and compiling a program-best .8550 composite rating. Then the Cyclones' 2020 early class signed in December ranked 43rd by 247Sports.
Golesh mentored all-conference performers at tight end in 2017, 2018 and 2019, as the Cyclones recorded a pair of 8-5 seasons and back-to-back bowl berths in 2017 and 2018. In 2018 Iowa State broke its school record for conference victories in a season (six), tying for third in the Big 12 for the best conference finish 40 years. In 2019 the Cyclones ended 7-6 after an appearance in the Camping World Bowl in Orlando, for their third consecutive bowl invitation—with their five regular-season defeats coming by a combined 21 points.
In the season before Golesh came to Ames, Iowa State tight ends caught a combined five passes in 2015. In 2019 Cyclone tight ends caught 75 passes under his direction with that sort of production a big part of Iowa State's success. In 2019 sophomore tight end starter Charlie Kolar caught 51 passes for 697 yards (most yards all-time by a Cyclone tight end in a season) and seven TDs, helping hm earn second-team All-America honors from Pro Football Focus and first-team all-Big 12 recognition, as well as first-team Academic All-America notice. That tight end production helped Iowa State in 2019 rank 11th nationally and second in the Big 12 in passing offense at 311.3 yards per game. Kolar as a freshman was a second-team all-Big 12 pick during the 2018 campaign, while tight end Chase Allen was a second-team all-Big 12 selection in 2017.
Golesh previously was the tight ends coach at Illinois in 2013 and 2015 and worked with the Illini running backs/tight ends in 2014. He was the Illinois recruiting coordinator from 2012-14, the special teams coordinator in 2015 and worked with the specialists all four years.
Golesh was on staff at Toledo for three years from 2009-2011, serving as both tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator. Golesh aided the Toledo program in securing the No. 1 recruiting class in the Mid-American Conference in consecutive years. The 2010 Rocket class was No. 1 in the league according to Rivals.com, while both Rivals and Scout.com rated the 2011 class No. 1.
Prior to going to Toledo, Golesh spent three seasons as a graduate assistant coach, two at Northern Illinois (2006-07) and one at Oklahoma State. Golesh worked with the outside linebackers at Oklahoma State in 2008, helping the Cowboys to a 9-4 record and a berth in the Holiday Bowl. At Northern Illinois, Golesh worked for one season with the secondary and one with the offensive line, helping the Huskies make the 2006 Poinsettia Bowl.
Golesh got his start in the coaching business as a student assistant coach while attending Ohio State as an undergraduate. He spent two and a half years aiding the Buckeyes' defensive coaches while working with the defensive line. During his time at Ohio State, the Buckeyes claimed the 2005 Big Ten championship and went on to earn a victory in the Fiesta Bowl over Notre Dame. Golesh also spent one year as a defensive line coach in a first-year football program at newly opened Westerville Central (Ohio) High School in 2003.
Golesh was born in Moscow, Russia, but grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and Dublin, Ohio, where he was a three-year letter-winner in football at Dublin Scioto High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in education from Ohio State in 2006.