Columbia native and former Titan forward Hardy Asprilla has returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach beginning with the 2012-13 season.

"I am really excited about the addition of Hardy to our coaching staff," said Newman. "He brings with him a lot of high energy, enthusiasm and loyalty to Cal State Fullerton basketball and I feel that his type of magnetic personality will be a tremendous asset to our program not only on the court, but in the recruiting process as well.

"It is always good to have someone around that has played in your system. They know you, know what you're about and can relate those types of things to the players in a very special way. I anticipate he will be phenomenal with our post guys."

Asprilla has spent the last two seasons as the No. 1 assistant at Humboldt State, helping the Jacks to a school-record 26 wins against only four losses and a California Collegiate Athletic Association title in 2010-11 and a 22-8 mark in 2011-12, reaching the NCAA Division II West Region Championships both seasons.

Prior to that, has was an assistant at Citrus College in Glendora, Calif., for two years, responsible for player development, working with post players, scouting, and serving as the team's defensive coordinator. In 2009-10, the Fighting Owls finished 29-3 overall and reached the California State JC "Final Four," falling by a single point in the semifinals. In his two seasons, Citrus JC was a combined 57-8 overall with a pair of Western State Conference South Division titles.

A transfer from the College of the Sequoias, Asprilla played two seasons for the Titans from 2003-05, averaging 8.5 points and 8.8 rebounds as a senior before suffering a career-ending knee injury in the 12th game of the year against Long Beach State on Jan. 13, 2005. He led or co-led the team in rebounding in eight of those 12 contests, including a high of 16 boards against UC Riverside on Jan. 6.

Following his collegiate playing career, Asprilla spent two years working with the Fullerton coaching staff from 2005-07 and also spent time with the Columbian National Team, competing in numerous tournaments throughout South America, as well as playing professionally with the Bucaros in his hometown of Bucaramanga, and working with the Marinos of Puerto La Cruz in Venezuela.

Asprilla graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2005 and later earned his master’s degree in kinesiology in 2009.