Fresno is where it’s at for Jay Udwadia, the Fresno State men’s tennis coach.

While he accepted the position of associate head coach at Pepperdine University last week, he has since decided to stay with the Bulldogs.

“I took it pretty hard,” Pepperdine head coach Adam Steinberg said. “I want Jay to be happy and I feel his heart is in Fresno.”

Steinberg got the call Monday morning and although a little disappointed, he agrees with Udwadia’s decision announced Tuesday.

“I agree that he should stay and build what he started,” Steinberg said. “He’s going to be amazing and there is a great tradition of tennis [at Fresno State].”

In his past three seasons at Fresno State, Udwadia has a 38-28 dual-match record and coached his team to the finals of the Western Athletic Conference tournament the past two seasons.

Three players were in the top-30 of last season’s region rankings under Udwadia’s coaching.

Before coaching at Fresno State, Udwadia coached one season at Drake and was named Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year.

He is 60-32 in his four years coaching.

The associate coach’s position at Pepperdine became available after the former Pepperdine associate head coach, Per Nilsson, resigned to take over as head coach at Mississippi State.

“After he left, I thought of Jay,” Steinberg said. “I consider him a tremendous coach and respect his coaching ability.”

Steinberg said he was excited to be working with a friend of 10 years, but Udwadia’s final decision does not affect their friendship.

“Jay is a great coach,” he said. “Fresno is lucky to have him.”