To reduce thermal pole-tip protrusion and recession, a magnetic head includes a multi-material basecoat. The magnetic head has an air bearing surface and a back surface opposite the air bearing surface. The magnetic head includes a substrate and the basecoat positioned upon the substrate. The basecoat has a first portion and a second portion wherein a Young's modulus of the first portion is less than a Young's modulus of the second portion. A data transducer is positioned upon the basecoat adjacent the air bearing surface.