Division II champs can't keep Williams

Less than a week after winning a national championship, UC Davis basketball coach Bob Williams is leaving for a higher calling.

Williams, who led the Aggies to a 31-2 record and a national title at the Division II level this season, Wednesday was named coach at Division I UC Santa Barbara.

"I think the situation that exists at Santa Barbara is a potential gold mine," said Williams, who was named Division II Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches after his team beat Kentucky Wesleyan 83-77 in Saturday's championship game.

"I've been coveting Santa Barbara for a long time. It gives me a chance to go in and do things the way I want.

"I've been at Davis for eight years, and it's been a great ride. Right now it is one high after another, and the timing to leave couldn't have been more perfect. Hopefully this takes nothing away from what the players at UC
Davis did."

One of the players Williams leaves behind is Scott Darmstadt. A true freshman, Darmstadt was a key reserve for the Aggies and played some valuable minutes during the regionals and the Elite Eight tournament.

"The coach called us to his house (Tuesday) night and told us he was moving on," Darmstadt said. "He said it was something he had to do. He said he loves rebuilding programs and wanted to take on the challenge (the Gauchos were 7-19 this season).

"I am happy for him; we are all happy for him. We know it is something he wants. Hopefully, the team will be in coach (Brian) Fogel's hands next year. He recruited all of us."

UC Davis athletic director Greg Warzecka wasn't surprised Williams left.

"I knew of the possibility and prepared for it two weeks ago after we won the regionals," Warzecka said. "He is the right fit for Santa Barbara. The problem they are going to have is that in just a few years they will be facing the same problem we did -- how to keep him. He is a Pac-10 caliber coach."

Warzecka said a search committee will be formed within days to begin the process of replacing Williams. Fogel will coordinate recruiting duties for the Aggies in Williams' absence.

Warzecka said he expects Fogel, who has assisted Williams the last three seasons, to apply and believes he is qualified for the job.

"Whoever they hire, I think it needs to be done as soon as possible," Fogel said. "The timing of this is going to make recruiting a little tougher, but, hopefully, the kind of kids we have been talking to really believe in the university, want to get a fantastic education, and play in a great program."

When Williams was presented to the Santa Barbara media Wednesday, one of the questions centered around whether he would try to lure any UC Davis players or recruits.

"I have a tremendous amount of love and loyalty to UC Davis, and I'm not going to strip-mine the program," Williams said. "There is nothing better I would love to have happen than to have UC Davis return to the Elite Eight next year."

Other early candidates mentioned for the UC Davis job are Sonoma State coach Pat Fuscaldo and Elk Grove High School coach Todd Reiswig, The Bee's Coach of the Year in 1995. Reiswig is a good friend of Williams and a disciple of Williams' style of play.

Williams, 44 and a 1976 graduate of San Jose State, has coached the Aggies since 1990 and compiled a 158-76 record. He went 20-8 his first season, only the second 20-win season in school history. Overall, the Aggies have had six 20-win seasons, five during the Williams era.

Williams replaces Jerry Pimm, who resigned after 15 seasons as Gauchos coach.