Serrano said it remained up in the air who his assistants would be, but that his first obligation is to his two assistants at UC Irvine, Sergio Brown and Greg Bergeron. He said he was informed that Irvine is going to conduct a national coaching search, but he hopes Brown or Bergeron is a candidate for the job. If both assistants decide they want to follow Serrano to Fullerton, and Vanderhook decides he wants to remain as well, Serrano will have to choose between the three coaches for two spots.
Serrano also confirmed that uncertainty surrounding UC Irvines commitment to athletics played a significant role in his decision to leave. UC Irvines previous athletics director, Bob Chichester, cited budget cuts and a lack of commitment to athletics by Chancellor Michael V. Drake as reasons for resigning in August. UCI is in the midst of a search for Chichesters replacement, but no hire is expected for at least another month, according to Serrano.
I wish I had a crystal ball to look into the future and see how everythings going to play out with the administration and their total commitment to athletics over there, Serrano said. I couldnt take that chance, knowing theres a job in hand with an athletics director in place that wanted me to take that program into the future. The changing of the guard over there really put the fear of God into me.