Allard returning to UCSD as assistant

Clint Allard, UC San Diego’s all-time leading scorer at the Division II level, will join the men’s basketball staff in 2008-09 as an assistant coach, head coach Chris Carlson announced Monday.

Allard assumes a role on the bench after guiding the Tritons to an overall record of 18-12 and an NCAA Tournament appearance as a senior last season.

“I feel extremely honored to add Clint to our staff,” Carlson said. “He had an outstanding career here and has shown great passion for UCSD basketball and the university itself in his years as a student-athlete. We are looking forward to adding his tremendous insights, knowledge of the game, and ability to relate with others to our staff and I believe he has a bright future in the coaching profession.”

A four-year starter, Allard posted career averages of 10.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals in 112 games with the Tritons. He was named to the All-CCAA Second Team in 2007-08 after averaging career-bests in rebounds (3.9), assists (4.6), and steals (1.2) to go with 9.8 points per game.

The former point guard played a key role in UCSD’s postseason run a year ago, leading the team to the program’s first CCAA Tournament Championship and earning all-tournament honors in the process. With Allard running the show, the Tritons had their most successful season and the D-II level, advancing to the NCAA West Regional for the first time.

The former Archbishop Mitty High School standout ranks ninth all-time at UCSD in career scoring with 1,150 points and third in career assists with 414. In terms of Division II records, Allard holds the all-time career marks for scoring (1,150), rebounding (387), assists (414), assist average (3.7), steals (130), field goal attempts (364), free throws made (299), free throws attempted (402), games played (112), and minutes (3,378). He ranks second in field goals made (364), three-point field goals made (123), and three-point attempts (320).

“I’m thrilled to continue my career at UCSD as an assistant coach,” Allard said. “I look forward to helping the program in a new capacity and hope that I can be the type of coach and role model for our athletes that I was fortunate enough to learn from during my career as a player.”

A native of San Jose, Allard earned a degree in Management Science while at UCSD. He will be involved in all aspects of coaching, including recruiting, scouting, travel, and game preparation. In addition to Carlson, Allard joins assistant coaches Eric Olen and Andy Aguinaldo, who are both entering their fifth season with the program.