The University of San Diego men's basketball program hires a new head coach.
Steve Lavin has been officially chosen to become the new basketball coach for USD's men's team for the upcoming season.
Lavin, 57, will be taking over the role formerly occupied by Sam Scholl who had been coaching the men's team from 2018 to 2022, before he was recently fired by the University earlier this year, leaving the school program with a 50-66 overall coaching record with the Toreros.
USD Executive Director of Athletics Bill McGillis says that he firmly believes that this addition can shape-up a successful basketball program for the University of San Diego.
"I just think it's a great alignment. I think under his leadership we have a chance to catapult to new heights," said Bill McGillis. "I considered a lot of outstanding coaches but in the end, I just felt that he was the best fit for elevating the level of success on the court," he added.
Lavin previously coached at UCLA from 1996 to 2003 where he 145-78 in seven seasons, taking the Bruins to the NCAA Elite Eight in his coaching season in Los Angeles, and four Sweet 16's appearances.
Seven years later, Lavin was introduced as the head coach for St. John's basketball program in 2010, where he coached five seasons until 2015, appearing in two NCAA March Madness tournaments and two NIT appearances under his belt. He was then let go after losing to San Diego State University in the first round of the NCAA tournament in 2015.
Lavin then went on to become a college basketball commentator on television for several seasons, but says he misses being a part of a basketball program as a head coach chasing victories, and says he cannot wait to get started in San Diego.
“The thing that I missed most about coaching was being on a college campus, the relationships, the camaraderie with my players, the coaching staff. And working together toward common goals, trying to win big. In the classroom winning big, on the court winning big,” Lavin said. "I’m just grateful. I can’t articulate how grateful and how appreciative I am. And I don’t want to mess it up.”
