Former UCLA, St. John's Coach Fired by San Diego

Steve Lavin's four-year tenure as head coach of the San Diego Toreros men's basketball team is coming to an end.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The University of San Diego has announced that Steve Lavin will not return as head coach of the San Diego Toreros men's basketball team following the 2025-26 season. Lavin, who previously served as head coach at UCLA and St. John's, has a 46-79 overall record and an 18-47 mark in West Coast Conference play during his four seasons in San Diego.

Why it matters

Lavin was hired in 2022 to revive a struggling San Diego program, but the Toreros have not seen the expected turnaround, leading the university to part ways with the veteran coach. This move represents a significant shift for the San Diego basketball program as it looks to chart a new course.

The details

USD Athletic Director Kimya Massey announced Lavin's departure, thanking him for his contributions to the program. Lavin, who had a contract believed to run through the 2028 season, will coach out the remainder of the 2025-26 season before San Diego begins its search for a new head coach. Lavin's overall career record stands at 283-229, including successful stints at UCLA and St. John's.

  • Lavin was hired as San Diego's head coach in April 2022.
  • Lavin will remain on the sideline through the end of the 2025-26 season.

The players

Steve Lavin

Former head coach of the San Diego Toreros men's basketball team, who previously served as head coach at UCLA and St. John's.

Kimya Massey

Athletic Director at the University of San Diego.

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What they’re saying

“I want to thank Coach Lavin for his time at USD and for his efforts leading our men's basketball program. We appreciate his contributions and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”

— Kimya Massey, Athletic Director, University of San Diego (sportingnews.com)

“As my coaching tenure at USD begins to wind down, I would like to pause and express my heartfelt appreciation to President Jim Harris for presenting this life-changing opportunity in 2022. Teaching and coaching at the University of San Diego has been an experience of unparalleled pride and joy. Specifically, I will carry forward the gift of participating in our players' journeys, and will treasure the relationships forged along the way.”

— Steve Lavin, Former Head Coach, San Diego Toreros (sportingnews.com)

What’s next

The University of San Diego will begin its search for a new head coach for the men's basketball program following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.

The takeaway

Steve Lavin's dismissal as head coach of the San Diego Toreros men's basketball team highlights the challenges of rebuilding a struggling program, even for an experienced coach like Lavin. The university will now look to chart a new course for its basketball program as it searches for a new leader to revive the Toreros.