Cal State University Monterey Bay

Rob Bishop has been named the new head men''s basketball coach at California State University, Monterey Bay. This is the first full-time coaching position in CSU Monterey Bay's athletic program, and it brings the university in line with other schools in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Bishop is the sixth coach in the history of CSUMB Basketball.

Bishop spent the past six seasons as an assistant coach for the men's team at Northern Arizona University, where he was responsible for recruiting and assisted with scouting and student-athlete academics. During his tenure, the Lumberjacks won two Big Sky Conference regular-season titles and earned a berth in the NIT.

"I am looking forward to building a program that, not only will the University be proud of but the entire communities of Monterey, Seaside and Marina as well," said Bishop. "I will be able to hit the ground running and continue to build on the success that they had started to have at the end of last season. The key to future of Otter basketball is being able to recruit not only good players but good students who understand that getting their degree is as important as playing basketball; students who understand the value of the educational and social experience that they will receive here at CSU Monterey Bay."

He started his college coaching career as an assistant at Chico State, where he spent five seasons, including two years as the top assistant for head coach Prescott Smith. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in physical education from the university.

"Rob is well connected to the basketball community in California and is a proven recruiter in the state," said Sue Borrego, vice president for student affairs. "He has a strong background in the CCAA from his time at Chico State and has been an important part of a very successful Division I program at Northern Arizona."

Bishop comes with high praise from his boss at Northern Arizona University: "Rob has prepared himself well for the transition of becoming a head coach," said NAU head coach Mike Adras. "He has been involved in every aspect of our program and has contributed immensely to our success on and off the court. CSU Monterey Bay should be extremely excited to be getting such a quality young, energetic coach who already has experience in their conference," Adras said.

Said Prescott Smith, head coach (retired) at Chico State: "I am really excited about Rob being named the head coach at CSU Monterey Bay.  I’ve known him a long time and have the utmost respect for him as a coach and person of high character. He is a credit to the coaching profession in the way he approaches every aspect of his of job.”