LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Derek Starks will be leaving his position as Head Diving Coach at UNLV to take on the same role at the University of California for their swimming and diving program, the Golden Bears announced on Wednesday.

"I'd like to thank Derek for the years he has spent working with UNLV Diving," said UNLV Head Swimming Coach Ben Loorz. "The diving program at UNLV is on a strong upswing, which is a tribute to his coaching. While our tenures here at UNLV only overlapped by a small margin, I am grateful to Derek for building a strong reputation for Rebel Diving. We all wish him the best as he joins the staff of one of the NCAA's premier aquatics programs."

Starks recently completed his third season as the diving coach for the Rebels, and the program steadily improved each year under his guidance. In the 2016 season, he coached Lucas James to three top-four finishes at the WAC Championships, including the conference title on the platform, which was the first conference title for the men's team in any event since 1988. James would go on to place 14th at the NCAA Diving Zones, again one of the highest finishes in the past 28 years for the Rebels. The women meanwhile under Starks scored in three events at the MW Championships.