April 9, 2007

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Mark Amaral, a member of the UC Santa Barbara men's basketball coaching staff since the 2000-01 season has accepted a similar position at Colorado State, head coach Bob Williams announced Monday.

"Mark has done a great job for us and I am very excited for him," Williams said. "Not only has he been an assistant coach for me, but he has also become a valued friend. Mark and his family will be sorely missed by everyone associated with the program."

Amaral became a part of Williams' staff in 2000. He was part of a UCSB coaching staff that guided the program to a Big West Tournament championship in 2002 and a Big West regular season crown in 2003. The NCAA bid in 2002 and the National Invitation Tournament bid in 2003 were the first postseason appearances by the Gauchos since 1993.

"I have had a tremendous experience here in Santa Barbara," Amaral stated. "I deeply appreciate the opportunity that Coach Williams gave me and I have learned so much from him. I am excited about the challenges that I am facing at Colorado State, but I will miss UCSB."

Amaral will join the staff of Tim Miles, formerly the head coach at North Dakota State who was recently named head coach at Colorado State.

Williams said that he would complete his coaching staff, which still includes David Campbell and Matt Stock, in the very near future.