Lakers Great Michael Cooper Named Cal State L.A. Men's Basketball Coach

Cooper hopes to restore championship glory to the Golden Eagles program.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:36pm

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A cubist, fragmented painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes in shades of blue, gold, and red conveying the competitive spirit and teamwork inherent in the sport.The arrival of Lakers legend Michael Cooper as Cal State L.A.'s new basketball coach promises to inject the program with his championship-winning pedigree and energetic coaching style.Los Angeles Today

Lakers legend Michael Cooper has been named the new head coach of the Cal State L.A. men's basketball team. Cooper, who played for the Lakers during their Showtime era, is returning to the university where he competed in the NBA Summer Pro League in the late 1970s. The goal for Cooper is to rebuild the Golden Eagles into a championship contender, focusing on instilling principles of discipline, defense and teamwork.

Why it matters

Cooper's hiring represents a homecoming for the Lakers great, who has deep ties to Cal State L.A. and the local Los Angeles community. His coaching experience and championship pedigree are expected to help revitalize the Golden Eagles program, which won a conference title just two years ago.

The details

In his introductory press conference, Cooper outlined his vision for the team, emphasizing the 'five Ds' of determination, dedication, desire, discipline and decision-making as the foundation for building a winning culture. He plans to implement a hard-nosed, defensive-minded style of play that will translate to success both on and off the court for his student-athletes.

  • Cooper was introduced as the new head coach on April 8, 2026.
  • He last competed at Cal State L.A. during the NBA Summer Pro League in 1977-78.

The players

Michael Cooper

A Lakers legend who won five NBA championships with the team during the Showtime era, Cooper is returning to his alma mater to take over the men's basketball program.

Jim Saia

The previous head coach of the Cal State L.A. men's basketball team, who retired after 10 seasons, opening the door for Cooper's hiring.

A.C. Green

A former Lakers teammate of Cooper's during the Showtime era, Green praised Cooper's coaching abilities and predicted he would bring a winning culture to the Golden Eagles.

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What they’re saying

“He's going to be a minor Pat Riley. He's going to be a fun-loving, hard-nose coach, and it seems like it would be an oxymoron, but it is possible and he's going to show that.”

— A.C. Green, Former Lakers Teammate

“They're going to play hard, they're going to play smart, and they're going to play together. When you do those three things, you'll win championships.”

— Michael Cooper, Cal State L.A. Men's Basketball Head Coach

What’s next

Cooper will begin assembling his coaching staff and recruiting players to join the Cal State L.A. men's basketball program as he looks to quickly turn the team into a championship contender.

The takeaway

Michael Cooper's return to Cal State L.A. as the new men's basketball head coach represents an opportunity for the Lakers great to leave a lasting legacy in the community where his professional career began. His championship pedigree and emphasis on discipline, defense and teamwork are expected to revitalize the Golden Eagles program.