San Diego Fires Basketball Coach Steve Lavin

Lavin had a 46-79 record over 3-plus seasons with the Toreros

Feb. 23, 2026 at 3:15pm

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San Diego has fired head coach Steve Lavin after three-plus seasons, multiple media outlets reported on Wednesday. Lavin, 61, had posted a 46-79 overall record with the Toreros and an 18-47 mark in West Coast Conference play over that span.

Why it matters

Lavin is an experienced college basketball coach with a long track record, having previously led programs at UCLA and St. John's. His dismissal from San Diego signals the university is looking to take the men's basketball team in a new direction after several disappointing seasons.

The details

San Diego (11-17, 5-10 WCC) lost for the fourth time in five games with a 92-79 home setback to San Francisco on Sunday. The Toreros return to action on Saturday against visiting Loyola Marymount (13-15, 4-11).

  • Lavin was fired on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.
  • Lavin had been the head coach at San Diego for over 3 seasons.

The players

Steve Lavin

A 61-year-old college basketball coach who was fired as the head coach of the University of San Diego Toreros after posting a 46-79 overall record and 18-47 conference record over 3-plus seasons.

University of San Diego Toreros

The men's basketball team of the University of San Diego, a private Catholic university located in San Diego, California.

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The takeaway

Lavin's dismissal from San Diego comes after several disappointing seasons for the Toreros, who will now look to find a new head coach to turn the program around and improve their performance in the West Coast Conference.