LA JOLLA, Calif. - Timmer Willing, a longtime assistant coach with the UC San Diego men's and women's tennis programs, was named the 2011 NCAA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) on Thursday.

Willing has spent the last 10 seasons coaching alongside Eric Steidlmayer on the men's side and under Liz LaPlante with the women. He has helped lead the Triton men to the NCAA National Semifinals in 2007 and to national quarterfinal appearances in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

On the women's side, Willing has helped guide UCSD to seven consecutive California Collegiate Athletic Association titles from 2004 through 2010, the last season the conference sponsored the sport.

In 2011, the Triton men finished the regular season with a perfect 20-0 dual match record, becomming the first team in program history to accomplish the feat. As the top seed in the West Region, UCSD advanced straight to the NCAA Division II Men's Tennis Championship Finals, but dropped a 5-0 decision to No. 10 Columbus State in the Round of 16.

UCSD had another successful season on the women's side as well in 2011, posting a 10-8 overall record, including a 5-2 mark at home. Despite a convincing 7-2 win over Sonoma State in the regular season finale, the Tritons were not awarded a spot in the NCAA Tournament field, marking the first time UCSD has missed the postseason in Willing's tenure.

Willing has also been named the ITA West Region Assistant Coach of the Year on several occasions during his time with the Tritons.