PULLMAN, Wash. – Blake Fernandez and Pedro Garcia Rosado were named assistant coaches for the Washington State men's basketball team, WSU Head Coach David Riley announced Tuesday. Fernandez and Garcia both coached with Riley last season at Eastern Washington, guiding the Eagles to the Big Sky Conference Championship.
Originally from Mountlake Terrace, Washington, Fernandez played Division-II college basketball at Western Washington University, leading the Vikings to the 2017 GNAC Championship. Fernandez continued his education at Eastern Washington, receiving a graduate degree in educational leadership in 2022, connecting with Riley's coaching staff as a graduate assistant.
"I want to thank Coach Riley and the WSU administration for this opportunity to represent the Cougs," Fernandez said. "It's a privilege to join this staff and the Pullman community. As a Washington native, I look forward to the challenge of continuing to build a successful men's basketball program at WSU. Go Cougs!"
As a graduate assistant, Fernandez assisted the Eagles in training, operations, and logistics, becoming the EWU Director of Basketball Operations during the 2022-23 season. Fernandez was elevated to assistant coach last season, helping the Eags to the Big Sky title.
"Blake is a talented young coach who has a pulse on basketball talent in the state of Washington," Riley said of Fernandez. "He's motivated and will bring a great tenacity to our staff and program that we know resonates with our team and culture. Blake's had the chance to work in all areas of a D-I program in a short time and will bring that valuable experience to WSU."
Garcia Rosado arrives in Pullman after three seasons in Cheney, Washington with Riley. Garcia arrive at EWU as the director of operations prior to the 2021-22 season. He was named an assistant coach ahead of the 2022-23 season, guiding the Eagles to back-to-back conference championships.
"I am excited to get started at WSU and continue building a talented Cougar basketball program," Garcia said. "I appreciate Coach Riley and WSU Athletics giving me this opportunity to be a Coug and look forward to representing Wazzu around the world and sharing the Cougar spirit. Go Cougs!"
Prior to joining the staff at Eastern Washington, Garcia coached for 15 years in Europe, including Spain and England. Garcia began coaching at Unicaja Basketball Academy in Malaga, Spain in 2006, before stops at Leeds, Huddersfield, and Reading in England. He also had another stop in Malaga before Valencia and the Canary Islands in Spain. Garcia was the head coach of UMF Sindri in Hofn, Iceland before moving to the United States to join Riley.
"The international expertise Pedro brings to Washington State is an incredible asset to our program," Riley said of Garcia. "Not only does Pedro have a great basketball mind, but strong connections throughout FIBA and European basketball that will elevate our Cougar team. You can already see his impact in the makeup of our roster and Pedro's hard-working personality."
