Sam Scholl was introduced on April 3, 2018 as the Toreros' 13th head coach in program history and just the sixth head coach since USD moved to the NCAA Division I ranks in 1979-80.
Scholl is a man that embodies what USD’s head coach should be: tremendous character, integrity and values that match the University; expertise and experience in the West Coast Conference; ability to compete at a championship-level in one of the nation’s top conferences; and a true servant-leadership heart that positively impacts the scholar-athletes.
With more than 20 years of experience in the WCC, from his time as a player to now head coach, Scholl showed why we was the right man for the job in his first full season in 2018-19. The Toreros won 21 games, made a run to the WCC Tournament semifinals, and secured a place in the NIT for the first time in program history. Scholl became only the second coach in program history to take the Toreros to a postseason tournament and win 20+ games.
The 2018-19 Toreros, led by four seniors in Isaiah Pineiro, Isaiah Wright, Olin Carter III and Tyler Williams, picked up two wins over Pac-12 opponents, beat intra-city rival San Diego State, and topped BYU in the WCC Tournament quarterfinals. They were one of the best defensive teams in the country – ranking 67th in KenPom’s defensive efficiency – and finished in the top-100 of the NET rankings (No. 98). Pineiro, meanwhile, earned National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) all-district honors and all four seniors went on to sign professional contracts.
A former guard for the Toreros, Scholl took the reins of the program for the final four games of the 2017-18 season on an interim basis before earning the head coach title after the season. Scholl helped the Toreros close out a 20-win season in 2017-18, which at the time was just the fourth time in program history the Toreros reached that threshold at the DI level. He led them to the third round of the CollegeInsiders.com Tournament and finished with a 2-2 record as interim head coach.
Following graduation from USD, Scholl spent seven seasons on the USD coaching staff under former head coach Brad Holland, including helping lead the 2002-03 team to the West Coast Conference Basketball Championship and to the first round of the 2003 NCAA Tournament for the third time in program history. The Toreros finished with winning records in six of Scholl's seven seasons on staff, including three seasons with 18 victories. He also played an integral role in the recruitment of 16 Torero players, including four first-team All-WCC performers, one WCC Newcomer of the Year, and a pair of WCC All-Freshman Team players.
For eight seasons Scholl was on the Santa Clara staff, and in September of 2013 was promoted to associate head coach under head coach Kerry Keating. At SCU, Scholl helped the Broncos to 26 wins in 2012-13 and 24 victories in 2010-11. The Broncos won the College Basketball Invitational post-season tournament in 2013 and the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament in 2011.
As a Torero scholar-athlete, Scholl was USD’s lone senior on a 20-9 squad during the 1999-2000 campaign. In the two years of his playing career, USD would post a 38-18 record.
A native of Gig Harbor, Washington, Scholl completed his undergraduate degree in sociology at USD in 2001. Prior to arriving at USD he played two seasons at Tacoma Community College in Tacoma, Washington, and was the point guard on the 1996 2A Washington State championship team for Gig Harbor High School.
Sam and his wife, Heather, have three daughters - Riley, Reese and Regan.
Scholl Year-By-Year
| Year |
School |
Position |
Record (Head Coach Only) |
Postseason Appearance |
| 2000-01 |
San Diego |
Student Assistant |
-- |
-- |
| 2001-02 |
San Diego |
Assistant Coach |
-- |
-- |
| 2002-03 |
San Diego |
Assistant Coach |
-- |
NCAA Tournament (First Round) |
| 2003-04 |
San Diego |
Assistant Coach |
-- |
-- |
| 2004-05 |
San Diego |
Assistant Coach |
-- |
-- |
| 2005-06 |
San Diego |
Assistant Coach |
-- |
-- |
| 2006-07 |
San Diego |
Assistant Coach |
-- |
-- |
| 2007-08 |
Santa Clara |
Assistant Coach |
-- |
-- |
| 2008-09 |
Santa Clara |
Assistant Coach |
-- |
-- |
| 2009-10 |
Santa Clara |
Assistant Coach |
-- |
-- |
| 2010-11 |
Santa Clara |
Assistant Coach |
-- |
CollegeInsiders.com Tournament (Champions) |
| 2011-12 |
Santa Clara |
Assistant Coach |
-- |
-- |
| 2012-13 |
Santa Clara |
Assistant Coach |
-- |
College Basketball Invitational (Champions) |
| 2013-14 |
Santa Clara |
Associate Head Coach |
-- |
-- |
| 2014-15 |
Santa Clara |
Associate Head Coach |
-- |
-- |
| 2015-16 |
San Diego |
Assistant Coach |
-- |
-- |
| 2016-17 |
San Diego |
Assistant Coach |
-- |
-- |
| 2017-18 |
San Diego |
Assistant Coach/Interim Head Coach |
2-2Â |
CollegeInsiders.com Tournament (Third Round) |
| 2018-19 |
San Diego |
Head Coach |
21-15 (7-9 WCC) |
NIT (First Round) |
| 2019-20 |
San Diego |
Head Coach |
9-23 (2-14 WCC) |
-- |
| 2020-21 |
San Diego |
Head Coach |
3-11 (2-7 WCC) |
-- |
Scholl - By the Numbers (Entering 2021-22)
- 24Â years in the WCC, as a player and coach
- 22Â years in coaching
- 5 postseason appearances
- 1 NCAA Tournament appearance
- 4+ seasons as a head coach
- 35-51 head coaching record
