In a season that saw the team win its first-ever NCAA Division II National Championship while compiling a 31-2 record, it's understandable how the Aggies could forget how to lose.

But the team got a harsh reminder less than a week after lugging its hardware home from Kentucky. Head coach Bob Williams accepted a four-year deal worth a reported base salary of $97,000 per year to become the new head basketball coach at Division I UC Santa Barbara.

Williams was understandably upbeat about the big move.

"The things that appealed most to me about the job is that I can go to UC Santa Barbara and do the things I've done for eight years here at Davis," he said. "I can bring in the right people and players and run a clean program."

Williams, who was recently named D-II Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches, replaces former UCSB head coach Jerry Pimm, who resigned under pressure after 15 seasons as the Gauchos' coach. The move ends the most successful coaching career ever for a UCD basketball coach, as over his eight-year career, Williams compiled a 158-76 overall record.

"We're happy for Bob," UCD Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Greg Warzecka said. "He's certainly deserving of this opportunity. A chance like this doesn't come along that often. We wish him well. This past year has been the greatest in Aggie basketball history."

Warzecka is currently in the process of forming a search committee to find Williams' replacement. The search will be conducted nationwide, but the odds-on favorite, at least in the minds of returning players, has to be top assistant Brian Fogel.

"There is a strong consensus for Coach Fogel to be the new coach because we've all played for him," wing Scott Darmstadt said. "He recruited most of us and we know he would maintain the same style of play - if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Even Williams cast a vote for Fogel.

"Brian Fogel has been my right-hand guy for the past three years," he said. "He's been the man behind the scenes all year long and I think he would be an outstanding candidate. People would be crazy to want this job right now, but I think he's just crazy enough to do it."

Regardless of who the new coach may be, there is a desire expressed by all to get the matter cleared up as soon as possible before it affects recruiting, which in the interim will be coordinated by Fogel.

"We want to make this a short process," UCD Associate Athletic Director Larry Swanson said. "We also want to be thorough so the program will continue on in terms of recruiting and our returning players."

Of those most affected by Williams' defection is returning star Dante Ross, one of the players who has been with the program throughout its rise to greatness.

"I think the consensus is that everyone will miss him," he said.

Darmstadt agreed.

"We'll miss him, but we're really happy for him," he said. "It's something he wanted because he likes to take on new challenges. Winning the championship was a double-edged sword - we won the title, but we lost a great coach."

When Williams first arrived at UCD in 1990, the team had only experienced one 20-win season in its history - Williams would guide the team to a 20-8 mark in his first year and go on to add four more 20-win seasons since.

Williams takes over a UCSB program that is coming off a 7-19 season and last-place finish in the Big West Conference's West Division, so the challenge of rebuilding is definitely there.

UCSB Athletic Director Gary Cunningham was ecstatic over the hiring.

"I am excited about Bob Williams' appointment as head basketball coach at UC Santa Barbara," he said. "Bob is highly respected by his peers and he brings a wealth of head coaching experience at all levels to the job. He is a perfect fit and he will make this university, its alumni and the community proud."

While Williams said he is enthusiastic about his new job, Davis will always hold fond memories for him.