Steve Lavin enters his fourth season at the helm of the Toreros men's basketball program in 2025-26. He enters the relaunch season campaign with a career record of 261-193 (.575).
Lavin has 11 NCAA Tournament wins in 16 seasons as a head coach, reaching the big dance in half of those seasons. His 11 NCAA Tournament wins ranks second among active WCC head coaches in 2025-26.
Lavin was named head coach of the University of San Diego men's basketball team in April of 2022. In his maiden season leading the Toreros, the team finished 11-20.
In his second season leading the charge, the Toreros finished 18-15, the most wins for the team in five years and the fifth place finish in the West Coast Conference being the best for the program in nine years. In 2024-25, with the youngest team in program history, the Toreros finished 6-27.
Prior to arriving at USD, he guided UCLA and St. John’s to eight NCAA Tournament appearances in 11 years. A staple in college basketball for over three decades, Lavin became the Toreros' 14th head coach in program history and the seventh head coach since USD moved to the NCAA Division I ranks in 1979-80.
In 11 full seasons as a head coach (at storied programs UCLA and St. John’s), Lavin accumulated a record of 226-133 (.630) with 10 postseason appearances. He has led his programs to eight NCAA Tournaments, including five Sweet 16 appearances and an Elite Eight. Lavin also reached 20 or more wins on nine different occasions.
“I’m honored to have this opportunity of leading the University of San Diego men’s basketball program,” said Lavin. “Throughout my discussions with President Harris and Bill McGillis, I gained a greater respect for their vision of USD Athletics. My background living on the west coast, the rich history of WCC basketball, and the strong academic reputation of USD all made this an ideal fit from the beginning. I look forward to building relationships with the entire Toreros family as our program aspires towards excellence on and off the court.”
While at UCLA, Lavin compiled a 10-1 record in the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. He holds the all-time record for most wins in the NCAA second round without a loss (5-0). Lavin was named Pac-10 Coach of the Year following the 2000-01 season after leading the Bruins to a 23-9 record and a Sweet 16. The following season, UCLA achieved its highest national ranking of Lavin’s tenure at No. 3. During Lavin's time as head coach, he was one of only two coaches in the country (along with Duke's Mike Krzyzewski) to go to five Sweet 16's in six seasons.
During his time at St. John’s, Lavin registered a record of 81-53, making two NCAA appearances and two NIT appearances. In his first season with the Red Storm, he led the program to 21 wins and its first NCAA Tournament bid in eight years.
The San Francisco native has mentored 17 NBA players during his career, including Baron Davis, Jerome Moiso, Earl Watson, Matt Barnes, Jason Kopono, Jelani McCoy, Dan Gadzuric, Maurice Harkless, and JaKarr Sampson.
Lavin's coaching career began in 1988 when he was hired as an assistant by Purdue. After three years, he joined the UCLA staff where he served as an assistant coach for five seasons, including the 1995 national championship team that finished with a 32-1 record. In 1996, he was promoted to head coach.
Most recently, Lavin served as a national college basketball broadcaster for Fox Sports and CBS Sports. He previously worked with ESPN, ABC, and the Pac-12 Network.
----------------------------------------------------------------
A Champion in the Fight Against Cancer
Lavin has been highly involved with both Coaches vs. Cancer, a foundation that Lavin has raised more than $1.5 million for since 2010, and The V Foundation for Cancer Research, where he has participated in numerous fundraising and awareness events. Lavin is part of The V Foundation President's Club contributing more than $50,000 to the organization. He is joined on this leadership giving group by Duke's Mike Krzyzewski, Michigan State's Tom Izzo and Kentucky's John Calipari. Lavin was presented the Coaches vs. Cancer Champion Award in 2014, an annual honor awarded to a coach who has engaged vigorously in the Coaches vs. Cancer program's fundraising, education and promotional initiatives.
Coach Lavin is a cancer survivor himself, having battled the disease during the 2011-12 season, only being able to coach four games for St. John's during that season. In the summer of 2022, he was awarded the Michelle Carew Spirit Award presented by the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, in recognition of champions in the fight against cancer.
----------------------------------------------------------------
What They’re Saying
“Big-time hire by my alma mater! Steve has great energy and is one of the best basketball minds in the business. I’ve followed his career for years and have a tremendous amount of respect for him. He will be a great addition to the Torero family.” –
Eric Musselman, Head Coach, Arkansas (USD MBB ’87)
“What an excellent hire for San Diego! Steve Lavin has made a real difference in basketball, particularly for the young men who’ve called him ‘Coach’ over the years as an assistant at Purdue and as a head coach at UCLA and St. John’s. Considering Steve’s previous record of success at high major institutions, his pedigree, and considerable coaching acumen, look for San Diego to take a big step forward within the West Coast Conference.” –
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke (1980-2022) and USA National Team (2005-16)
“I've known Steve since the early 90's. We started our careers competing as assistants, then as head coaches while he was at UCLA and SJU. We have always remained connected as he is as knowledgeable about the game and as visionary about the business as anyone I know. I look forward to following Steve's enlightening of the tradition and ascension of the success of USD basketball.” –
Jay Wright, Head Coach, Villanova
“Steve is an excellent hire for USD. He is a well-rounded basketball coach who has experienced great successes in elite conferences. As a broadcaster, Steve has been able to follow and observe the talent level across the spectrum, which will be of great value to building the program at USD. He understands the intent of the university to elevate our basketball program, and I’m excited about the leadership he will provide.” –
Bernie Bickerstaff, USD Hall of Fame, Senior Basketball Advisor, Cleveland Cavaliers
“Coach Lavin is the right person, at the right place, and at the right time for the University of San Diego. Historically, that formula leads to sustainable success.” –
George Raveling, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Coach
“Steve Lavin is a proven winner. His NCAA Tournament experience speaks for itself. And, he has the charisma, energy and experience to turn the Toreros into a winning basketball program.” –
Fran Fraschilla, ESPN College Basketball Analyst
----------------------------------------------------------------
Head Coaching Year-by-Year
| YEAR |
TEAM |
OVERALL |
CONFERENCE |
NCAA TOURNAMENT |
| 1996-97 |
UCLA |
24-8 |
15-3 |
Elite 8 |
| 1997-98 |
UCLA |
24-9 |
12-6 |
Sweet 16 |
| 1998-99 |
UCLA |
22-9 |
12-6 |
Rd. of 64 |
| 1999-2000 |
UCLA |
21-12 |
10-8 |
Sweet 16 |
| 2000-01 |
UCLA |
23-9 |
14-4 |
Sweet 16 |
| 2001-02 |
UCLA |
21-12 |
11-7 |
Sweet 16 |
| 2002-03 |
UCLA |
10-19 |
6-12 |
|
| 2010-11 |
St. John's |
21-12 |
12-6 |
Rd. of 64 |
| 2011-12 |
St. John's |
2-2 |
|
|
| 2012-13 |
St. John's |
17-14 |
8-8 |
NIT 2nd Rd. |
| 2013-14 |
St. John's |
20-13 |
10-8 |
NIT 1st Rd. |
| 2014-15 |
St. John's |
21-12 |
10-8 |
Rd. 64 |
| 2022-23 |
San Diego |
11-20 |
4-13 |
|
| 2023-24 |
San Diego |
18-15 |
7-9 |
|
| 2024-25 |
San Diego |
6-27 |
2-16 |
|
| 15 Seasons |
3 Teams |
261-193 (.575) |
133-116 (.534) |
11-8 (.579) |
