USD Basketball Coaching Search Nears Conclusion

Athletic director Kimya Massey interviews finalists for vacant head coaching position

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The University of San Diego men's basketball team's season ended on Friday with a loss in the West Coast Conference tournament. Athletic director Kimya Massey stayed in Las Vegas to conduct interviews for the program's vacant head coaching position, which could be filled as early as Monday or Tuesday. Massey said the pool of candidates is "really strong" and includes sitting head coaches in Southern California, assistants from high-major programs, and at least one NBA candidate.

Why it matters

USD has struggled in recent years, with only one winning season in the last seven. The school is looking to invest more resources into the program, including a potential $2-4 million budget for player compensation, in order to compete at the top of the West Coast Conference and become a regular participant in the NCAA Tournament.

The details

Massey has interviewed several candidates for the head coaching job, including USD alum David Fizdale, former SDSU assistant Tony Bland, Cal Baptist head coach Rick Croy, Cal State Northridge head coach Andy Newman, Iowa State assistant JR Blount, Florida associate head coach Carlin Hartman, and Michigan assistant Justin Joyner. The school is expected to make a decision on the new head coach in the coming days.

  • The USD men's basketball team's season ended on Friday, March 8, 2026 with a loss in the WCC tournament.
  • Massey stayed in Las Vegas after the game to conduct interviews for the vacant head coaching position.
  • A decision on the new head coach is expected as early as Monday, March 10, 2026 or Tuesday, March 11, 2026.

The players

Kimya Massey

The athletic director at the University of San Diego who is leading the search for the program's next head basketball coach.

David Fizdale

A USD alum who was an assistant coach at the school before working for seven different NBA teams, including as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks.

Tony Bland

A former player and assistant coach at SDSU who later worked as an assistant at USC, Washington, and currently Kansas. He was indicted in the federal college basketball probe in 2017 but received a three-year NCAA "show cause" penalty.

Rick Croy

The head coach at Cal Baptist who guided the Lancers through the transition from Division II to Division I and recently won his 400th career game.

Andy Newman

The head coach at Cal State Northridge who has won wherever he's been, including taking Cal State Bernardino to the Division II Final Four in 2023.

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What they’re saying

“We are in the midst of finalist interviews. Excited about the pool. It was really strong, and it was advantageous to go out early. We are very deep in the process and (expect) a decision soon.”

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

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This coaching search represents a pivotal moment for USD basketball as the school looks to invest more resources into the program and set higher expectations for competing at the top of the West Coast Conference and reaching the NCAA Tournament on a regular basis.