MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Southern Arkansas University has named Julio Pacheco as the next head women's basketball coach as it was publically announced by SAU Director of Athletics Steve Browning on Wednesday morning.
 
"We are thrilled to name Julio Pacheco as our new head women's basketball coach at Southern Arkansas," noted Browning. "Julio's energy, enthusiasm, and passion for the game will benefit our women's basketball program greatly and will be instrumental in taking it to the next level. In Julio, we are getting a coach that has a prior and deep understanding of our league (Great American Conference); and in particular what it takes to be a top team within the league as well."
 

"On a personal note, we are excited to welcome his wife, Christine and their two daughters, Gillyan (10) and Isabella (3) to the SAU and Magnolia community," added Browning.
 
Pacheco, who becomes the sixth head coach in program history, comes to SAU after a year away from the coaching world, but in the seven years prior, Pacheco was the top assistant at fellow Great American Conference opponent and perennial national contender, Arkansas Tech University.
 
"I am honored and humbled to lead and serve as the next head coach for the Lady Muleriders," exclaimed Pacheco! "I look forward to establishing a culture of excellence in all aspects of the basketball program. My family and I are extremely excited to join such a welcoming Southern Arkansas University and Magnolia community. "
 
In his time at Tech, Pacheco helped lead the Golden Suns to four regular season conference championships (Gulf South: 2009-10, 2010-11; Great American: 2011-12, 2012-13), four NCAA Tournament appearances (2007-08, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2012-13), three conference tournament championships (GSC: 2009-10, 2010-11; GAC: 2012-13), and consecutive trips to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight (2009-10, 2010-11).
 
In terms of wins and losses, Pacheco helped lead ATU to an outstanding 168-42 (.800) record in his seven years on the sidelines which included an incredible 97-7 record at home. Overall, the Golden Suns would enjoy four seasons with 20 or more wins and two years with 30 or more wins. In the 10-11 and 11-12 campaigns, Arkansas Tech would be ranked No.1 in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Top-25 for a total of five weeks.
 
A native of Itajaí, Brazil, Pacheco helped Arkansas Tech establish a strong international recruiting base and was instrumental in the signing and developing of All-American Golden Suns players, Natalia Santos and Roselis Silva.
 
Prior to his time at Tech, Pacheco spent two years as a head boys' coach of one of the top high school clubs (relative to the AAU system) in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. In 2005, Pacheco was selected to coach the Santa Catarina state team where he guided that under-16 boys' team to a National Championship.
 
Heavily involved on the camp circuit, Pacheco has worked camps for Arkansas Tech, the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA and also the Red Auerbach Basketball School, held at Nichols College in Dudley, Mass. At each of these camps, Pacheco served as a coach.
 
Pacheco began his coaching career in 2002 as he served as student assistant at Kennesaw State University under then head coach Tony Ingle
 
An undergraduate of the Federal University of Santa Catarina with a degree in Physical Education, Pacheco went on to earn his Master's Degree in Secondary Education from Arkansas Tech University.    
 
A formal meet-and-greet with Coach Pacheco will be arranged with the date and time to be announced.