Cal State Bakersfield Hires Todd Lee as New Men's Basketball Head Coach

Lee returns to lead the Roadrunners after nearly 30 years as an assistant coach when the team won the NCAA Division II National Championship.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 12:23am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

California State University, Bakersfield has announced the hiring of Todd Lee as the new head coach for the men's basketball team. Lee has nearly 40 years of coaching experience across professional and NCAA divisions, including serving as an assistant coach when CSUB won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 1997. He most recently spent the last four seasons coaching Power 4 conference teams under Eric Musselman.

Why it matters

The CSUB men's basketball program has had success in the past, winning a national title in 1997, and the hiring of Lee signals the university's commitment to rebuilding the team into a contender. Lee's extensive coaching experience and previous ties to the program make him an ideal candidate to lead the Roadrunners into a new era of excellence.

The details

CSUB conducted a national search that attracted a large pool of impressive candidates before selecting Lee as the 10th head coach in program history. Lee helped lead the Roadrunners to the 1997 NCAA Division II National Championship as an assistant coach under then-head coach Pat Douglass. Since then, Lee has enjoyed successful stints as a head coach at both the Division I and Division II levels, as well as serving as an assistant coach for Power 4 conference teams in recent years.

  • In 1997, Lee was an assistant coach when CSUB won the NCAA Division II National Championship.
  • For the last four seasons, Lee has served as an assistant coach for Power 4 conference teams under Eric Musselman.
  • In September 2025, former CSUB head coach Rod Barnes stepped away from the program after 14 seasons.

The players

Todd Lee

The new head coach of the CSUB men's basketball team, with nearly 40 years of coaching experience across professional and NCAA divisions, including serving as an assistant coach when CSUB won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 1997.

Dr. Vernon B. Harper Jr.

The president of California State University, Bakersfield, who announced the hiring of Todd Lee as the new head coach of the Roadrunners men's basketball team.

Dr. Sarah Tuohy

The acting director of athletics at California State University, Bakersfield, who announced the hiring of Todd Lee as the new head coach of the Roadrunners men's basketball team.

Pat Douglass

The former head coach of the CSUB men's basketball team, who led the Roadrunners to the 1997 NCAA Division II National Championship with Todd Lee as an assistant coach.

Rod Barnes

The former head coach of the CSUB men's basketball team, who stepped away from the program in September 2025 after 14 seasons.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I am thrilled to announce that CSUB has selected the visionary leader and proven winner who will guide the Roadrunner men's basketball team to a new era of excellence, integrity and pride. This is a proud day for our Athletics Program, the university and our community of supporters. Please join me in welcoming back Coach Lee and reminding him of the hospitality that makes Kern County the heart of California.”

— Dr. Vernon B. Harper Jr., President, California State University, Bakersfield

“I have always wanted to be the Head Coach at CSUB. I am very proud of the success the program has had in the past and all the great players and coaches that have been part of the program. I want our alumni, the university, the city of Bakersfield and all of Kern County to be proud of our program. I loved living in Bakersfield and can't wait for our family to be part of the community again.”

— Todd Lee, New Head Coach, CSUB Men's Basketball

What’s next

The university will hold a press conference on Monday, April 1st to formally introduce Todd Lee as the new head coach of the CSUB men's basketball team.

The takeaway

The hiring of Todd Lee, a proven winner with deep ties to the CSUB basketball program, signals the university's commitment to rebuilding the men's basketball team into a contender. Lee's extensive coaching experience and previous success with the Roadrunners make him an ideal choice to lead the program into a new era of excellence.