HAYWARD, Calif. -- The University of Montana has announced the hiring of former Cal State East Bay assistant men's basketball coach Jay Flores, who will join the Grizzlies as Director of Basketball Operations for the 2016-17 season.

Flores spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach for the Pioneers under Gus Argenal. He was responsible for a multitude of tasks at East Bay, including camps, academic progress, recruiting, and video analysis. 

"Jay has given his heart and soul to our program and student athletes over the last 3 years," Argenal said. "Though we never want to lose a great person and close friend, our entire basketball family is excited for him and [his fiancé] Molly. He is a rising star in college basketball and I know he will help Montana Basketball continue their prominence in the Big Sky. I want to thank him for the dedication, work ethic, and pride he has given us. We will be rooting for him and the Griz!"

Flores joins a Montana squad that is coming off two straight winning seasons under head coach Travis DeCuire and reached the championship game of the Big Sky Conference tournament in 2015-16. He will also work under associate head coach Chris Cobb, who was an assistant at Chico State when Flores was a student-athlete there. 

A Sacramento native, Flores was the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Most Valuable Player and a third team All-American as a senior in 2011-12. He led Chico State to its first CCAA Championship and the semifinals of the NCAA Division II tournament. 

He spent the 2012-13 season playing for Soles de Mexicali in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional, Mexico's top professional basketball league. Flores then joined Argenal's staff in 2013-14 to began his coaching career.