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Dennis Gates Accepts Coaching Position at Northern Illinois

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Dennis Gates
 
Dennis Gates
  
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April 9, 2007

BERKELEY - Former Golden Bear guard Dennis Gates, who has served as an assistant men's basketball coach at California the past two seasons, has accepted a job as an assistant coach at Northern Illinois, Cal head coach Ben Braun announced Monday.

Gates played for the Bears from 1999-2002, then return to the Cal as an assistant coach prior to the 2005-06 season. At Northern Illinois, he will work under head coach Ricardo Patton, who was hired in March to lead the Huskies program.

"I appreciate the contributions that Dennis has made to the Cal basketball program," Braun said. "His dedication as a player and coach has played a large role in our success. Dennis has a great opportunity to continue his college coaching career in his home state. He will have an immediate impact on their program and will assume lead coaching responsibilities under Coach Patton."

During six total seasons with the Bears, Gates was a part of teams that advanced to the postseason five times, including a National Invitation Tournament championship in 1999 and three NCAA Tournaments.

"This was a very difficult decision to make," Gates said. "However, it is a great opportunity for me to further my coaching career. I want to first say thank you to Coach Braun for giving me the chance to represent Cal both as a player and a coach. I certainly have enjoyed my time in Berkeley, and it has definitely given me a strong foundation to advance my career. I want to thank the fans, alumni and the entire Cal athletic family for embracing me."

As a player, Gates played in two NITs and two NCAA Tournaments, reaching the second round in 2002. He earned his bachelor's degree in sociology in just three years and competed as a graduate student his senior season.

Gates began his coaching career with one season on the staff of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. He then served one-year stints at Marquette and Florida State before returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach prior to the 2005-06 season, when he helped Cal to a 20-11 record and an NCAA Tournament berth.