FIL-AM bench tactician Mike Magpayo made history as he was named as the new head coach for University of California Riverside.
The hiring marks the first time that a coach of Filipino and Asian descent has been appointed to a Division I post.
"I am honored, humbled, and absolutely thrilled for the opportunity to lead our University of California Riverside men's basketball program into the future," said Magpayo in a news release.
Magpayo was the defensive coach for the Highlanders last season as they racked a 17-15 record to finishg sixth in the Big West Conference, a record for the school's Division I wins.
He will take the post vacated by coach David Patrick, who was hired as the associate head coach in Arkansas.
"I am thrilled that Mike Magpayo will have an opportunity to lead the way forward. I have no doub about the way Mike and the staff will represent this program," said Patrick.
UC Riverside Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tamica Smith Jones added: "I am fully confident coach Magpayo will keep this team on the upward trajectory it is on."
Aside from his role in UC Riverside, Magpayo is also the president of the Asian Coaches Association in the United States.
He previously worked in Columbia University, Campbell University, and San Francisco.
This, however, remains as the biggest break in Magpayo's coaching career.
"Leading our program is special and doing so in my home area of Southern California is truly special," he said. "Along with my wife Caroline, who is an alum of UCR, we have established roots here and we absolutely love the city of Riverside. We look forward to building and keeping the momentum into this next year and beyond."
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