Derek Glasser joined the UC Santa Barbara coaching staff in August 2022. His primary responsibilities include coaching and developing the guards, as well as serving as the team’s offensive coordinator.
Since joining the Gauchos, Glasser has played a key role in one of the most successful stretches in program history. He helped lead UC Santa Barbara to the 2023 Big West regular season and tournament championships, an NCAA Tournament appearance, and a school-record 27 wins. He oversees scouting and game planning for an offense that ranked among the nation’s top 80, while mentoring standout guards including Ajay Mitchell, the Big West Player of the Year and four All-Big West selection. Under his guidance, at least one Gaucho guard has earned All-Big West recognition each season.
Glasser has also been instrumental on the recruiting trail, helping secure high-major transfers such as Miro Little, Aidan Mahaney, Colin Smith, Ben Shtolzberg, and former five-star talent Yohan Traore. He also played a key role in landing four-star recruit Zion Sensley, the highest- rated recruit to commit to the Gauchos, and most recently helped bring in four-star recruit Michael Simcoe. Glasser’s recruiting prowess doesn’t stop there, as he also brought in 2025-26 Preseason All-Conference selection Jason Fontenet II.
Beyond the court, he manages scheduling responsibilities, assists with NIL fundraising efforts, and maintains strong relationships with boosters and alumni. Academically, the Gauchos’ core player group posted a 3.45 GPA over a two-year span under his leadership.
Prior to UCSB, Glasser spent two seasons at Rice in the same capacity. He helped sign 10 recruits in two years, including Conference USA Newcomer of the Year Travis Evee and All- Conference selection Carl Pierre, while contributing to Rice’s first stretch of three consecutive 15-win seasons since 2006. The Owls’ 2021–22 offense finished in the top 50 nationally in nine statistical categories and ranked third in the nation in after-timeout points per possession. During his tenure, Rice also recorded the highest team GPA in program history (3.46).
Across his five seasons at UC Santa Barbara and Rice, Glasser has coached and developed five NBA players: Trey Murphy, Drew Peterson, Quincy Olivari, Miles Norris, and Ajay Mitchell. He began his collegiate coaching career at Rice as the program’s video coordinator from 2018–20, overseeing all video and technology operations while assisting with scouting, offensive game planning, and content creation. Earlier in his career, he worked with Athlete Management Group as an NBA agent, negotiating more than $2.1 million in player salaries and managing endorsement partnerships with major global brands including Nike, BBVA, Upper Deck, Panini, Ralph Lauren and Adidas.
Derek Glasser enjoyed a standout collegiate basketball career at Arizona State University from 2006 to 2010, where he became one of the most accomplished players in Sun Devil history. The Lakewood, California native became the first player in school history to record 1,000 points and 500 assists in his career. His 551 assists made him the ASU career leader. He served as team captain for three years, playing the most games in school history. He helped lead the Sun Devils to three straight 20-win seasons, including an appearance in the 2009 NCAA Tournament. As a junior, he was named to the Pac-10 Conference All-Tournament Team. As a senior, Glasser was named Preseason NIT All-Tournament and All-Conference Honorable Mention. Following his collegiate career, he spent time overseas, playing for Maccabi Haifa in Israel and Kalev Cramo in Estonia.
