Fortier to Cal Poly

University of Washington Assistant Coach Paul Fortier will soon officially be announced as the Associate Head Coach at Cal Poly. That's a position of greater responsibility and the right direction for anyone aspiring to move into the seat 18 inches over.

In his eight seasons at UW, the 6-foot-8 Fortier was heavily involved in recruiting and developing the high level of talent entering the Husky program. He also coached two years at Cornell, this after playing 17 seasons in Europe. Fortier graduated from Washington and, before that, St. Ignatius College Prep in San Francisco, so he's a Bay Area guy.

During Fortier's tenure in the Northwest, a wide range of top prospects donned the uniform of the Huskies. Recalling Quincy Pondexter (Memphis Grizzlies), Isiah Thomas (Sacramento Kings), Spencer Hawes (Philadelphia 76ers), Tony Wroten (Memphis Grizzlies), Terrence Ross (Toronto Raptors), with the next one being current UW backcourter C.J, Wilcox, is an easy exercise.

Eight 2012-13 Mustangs were from California and Fortier is expected to utilize his relationships in the Northwest plus his connections abroad to help fortify the Cal Poly roster. The program is at a critical point where a higher level of recruit is needed in order to get to the top of the Big West Conference. Look for his addition to also produce greater development of the Cal Poly frontcourters.

After winning big at Seattle University -- 75 victories in his final four seasons there while guiding the Redhawks to DI status -- Mustang Head Coach Joe Callero has definitely righted what was a previously floundering Cal Poly program. In four years, he has taken an inherited 3-13, 7-21 team to a 12-6, 18-14 mark in the recently concluded 2012-13 season.

The 12-6 mark produced a third place Big West Conference finish and the Mustangs were near invincible at home, going 13-1.

Besides Cal Poly, the Big West Conference consists of Hawaii,  Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Northridge, Long Beach State, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Riverside and UC Santa Barbara.