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Arizona Wildcats associate head coach Joe Pasternack is leaving the program to become the new head coach at UC Santa Barbara, reports Jeff Goodman of ESPN.
UCSB will announce Arizona assistant Joe Pasternak as head coach on Friday, sources told ESPN.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) March 31, 2017
Pasternack’s new gig will be his second go-around as a head coach, with the first stint being in 2007-10 with the New Orleans Privateers, where he amassed a 38-54 record in three seasons.
Pasternack joined the Wildcats’ staff in 2011 and was promoted to associate head coach in 2013.
He has been an integral part of Arizona’s recruiting efforts, as he was the lead recruiter for Arizona signees/commits Ira Lee, Alex Barcello, and Emmanuel Akot.
Before arriving at Arizona, Pasternack was an assistant coach with the California Golden Bears for eight seasons.
Pasternack is taking over for long-time UCSB head coach Bob Williams, whose contract was not renewed after the Gauchos finished 6-22 this past season.
Williams was the winningest coach in UCSB history, compiling a 313-260 record in 19 seasons with the Gauchos.
UCSB reached the NCAA Tournament three times (2002, 2010, 2011) under Williams.
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