HAYWARD, Calif. --- First-year men's basketball head coach Gus Argenal has announced the hiring of Tyler Ojanen to the Cal State East Bay coaching staff for the 2013-14 season. A native of Phoenix, Ariz., Ojanan brings a championship pedigree to East Bay, having spent the last five years at Saint Mary's College.

"Tyler is an extremely hard worker with great character and tremendous experience at the highest level," said Argenal. "He has quality recruiting ties on the west coast and is dedicated to the success of our current student- athletes. I want to welcome him and his family to Cal State East Bay."

Ojanen has served as the Director of Basketball Operations for the Gaels since 2009. He was responsible for managing the program's youth camps and clinics, overseeing student-athlete academic progress, and assisting with on-campus recruiting, team travel, video, and other aspects of the day-to-day operation of SMC's Division I program.

During Ojanen's time in Moraga, the Gaels posted a record of 124-33, won at least 25 games in each of his five season, and captured two West Coast Conference tournament championships. They made three trips to the NCAA Division I Tournament, including a run to the Sweet Sixteen in 2010. In each of the last four seasons of Ojanan's tenure, Saint Mary's has had an AP All-American honorable mention selection: Omar Samhan (2010); Mickey McConnell (2011); and Matthew Dellavedova (2012 and 2013), who was also a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American and the 2012-13 WCC Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

The Pioneers' new assistant hoops coach served as the video coordinator in his first year at Saint Mary's in 2008-09, also assisting with summer camps and the day-to-day functions of the office. Prior to that, he spent three years as a history teacher at Cortez High School in Phoenix. During that time, Ojanen was the head junior varsity boys' basketball coach and served as an assistant coach for the varsity team.

Ojanen graduated from California Baptist University in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in history. He was also a two-year starter at guard on the basketball team, leading the team in assists both years and dishing out 5.1 per game as a senior. Prior to transferring to Cal Baptist, he started for two seasons at Phoenix College from 2000-02.

Tyler and his wife, Kristi, reside in Walnut Creek, Calif. with their two sons, Jarren (3) and Mitchell (1). East Bay fans can see both Argenal and Ojanen in action for the first time when the Pioneers open up the 2013-14 season in November.