April 23, 2008

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Danny Yoshikawa, who spent one season as an assistant on the UC Santa Barbara men's basketball coaching staff, will leave for a similar position at the University of San Francisco, head coach Bob Williams announced Wednesday.

In going to USF, Yoshikawa returns to his native Bay Area and will join the staff of his boyhood friend, recently appointed head coach Rex Walters.

"This is an opportunity to return to the Bay Area and coach with someone I grew up with," Yoshikawa said. "There aren't too many other opportunities that could get me to leave UCSB, but this was one that I just couldn't pass on. I have had a great time being part of the Gaucho program and I will miss everyone involved. I deeply appreciate Coach Williams for the opportunity to coach at the Division I level, but more than that, he taught me that you could win with integrity. He really built a foundation when I played for him, and he just continued to build on that."

A native of San Jose, Calif., Yoshikawa spent five seasons as the head coach at West Valley College in nearby Saratoga, and one at Cañada College. Yoshikawa also played for two seasons at West Valley, and began his coaching career there when he assisted on Bob Burton's staff for three seasons. Following two seasons as a player at West Valley, Yoshikawa played two years for Williams at UC Davis before embarking on his coaching career.

"We wish Coach Yoshikawa the best of luck as he goes back to his native Bay Area," commented Williams. "I appreciate his contributions to our success this past season, and look forward to coaching against him in the future."

Williams gave no timetable for naming Yoshikawa's replacement.