University of San Diego Fires Head Basketball Coach Steve Lavin

Toreros Athletic Director Kimya Massey makes coaching change with three games left in regular season

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The University of San Diego has fired head basketball coach Steve Lavin after the team's 11-17 record and 5-10 conference mark this season. Lavin had been the Toreros' head coach since 2022 and posted a 46-79 record during his tenure, with his lone winning season coming two years ago when the team went 18-15.

Why it matters

The University of San Diego men's basketball program has struggled in recent years, failing to post a winning record since back-to-back 20-win seasons in 2019. The decision to fire Lavin midway through the season signals the administration's desire to turn the program around and find a new direction under new leadership.

The details

According to multiple reports, Toreros Athletic Director Kimya Massey has fired head coach Steve Lavin with three games remaining in the regular season and the West Coast Conference Tournament on the horizon. The Toreros currently sit 10th out of 12 teams in the WCC with an 11-17 overall record and 5-10 conference mark. Leading scorer Ty-Laur Johnson is no longer with the program, having last played on February 7 against Loyola Marymount.

  • The University of San Diego fired head coach Steve Lavin on February 18, 2026.
  • Lavin had been the Toreros' head coach since 2022.

The players

Kimya Massey

The Athletic Director at the University of San Diego who made the decision to fire head basketball coach Steve Lavin.

Steve Lavin

The former head basketball coach of the University of San Diego Toreros, who was fired midway through the 2025-26 season after posting a 46-79 record during his tenure.

Ty-Laur Johnson

The leading scorer for the University of San Diego Toreros basketball team, who is no longer with the program after last playing on February 7.

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What’s next

The University of San Diego will now begin the search for a new head basketball coach to lead the program going forward.

The takeaway

The firing of Steve Lavin as head coach of the University of San Diego Toreros basketball team underscores the program's struggles in recent years and the administration's desire to find new leadership to turn the team around and restore it to past success.