Following-up on reports from earlier today…San Diego has now released an official statement on the status of head basketball coach Steve Lavin. The veteran head coach will complete the current campaign, but not return for the 2026-27 season. Here’s the release from USD:
University of San Diego Athletics announced Wednesday that Steve Lavin, head coach for the men’s basketball program, will not return for the 2026-2027 season. Lavin will remain with the Toreros through the conclusion of the 2025-2026 season, completing his fourth year with the program.
“I want to thank Coach Lavin for his time at USD and for his efforts leading our men’s basketball program,” said Kimya Massey, USD Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Athletics. “As the Division I college basketball landscape continues to shift, Lavin always demonstrated an authentic concern for the well-being of our student-athletes and supported their growth both academically and in the San Diego community. Over his tenure, his teams consistently produced strong academic results. We appreciate his contributions and wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”
Lavin became the Toreros’ 14th head coach when he was hired in April 2022.
“As our head coach, Steve Lavin always conducted himself in alignment with the values of the university and has been a wonderful ambassador,” said University of San Diego President James T. Harris III. “I am grateful for his service to USD, especially his commitment to the health and well-being of our student-athletes. Steve will remain a vital part of our Torero basketball community.”
“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,” said Lavin. “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.”
To read Lavin’s full statement, please click here.
Massey added the following statement:
“Beginning immediately, we will conduct a national search for the next leader of our men’s basketball program.
College athletics is evolving rapidly, and this is a pivotal moment for USD Basketball. We have built a strong foundation through enhanced resources and premier facilities — including the state-of-the-art Basketball Performance Center and the Jenny Craig Pavilion, one of the finest competition arenas on the West Coast — along with dedicated personnel supporting the holistic development of our student-athletes. With continued investment from our alumni, supporters, fans, and campus community, we believe our program is positioned to compete for championships on a consistent basis. The University of San Diego sits in America’s Finest City on the most beautiful campus in the country — and with that comes a responsibility to pursue excellence worthy of this institution.
This is a moment for us to set our expectations even higher and chart a new course of excellence for our program. Competing in the upper tier of the West Coast Conference and being a regular participant in the NCAA Tournament should be the expectation for this program. We are committed to providing the leadership, NIL and revenue-sharing investment, and student-athlete support necessary to recruit and sustain a roster that makes both USD and the community proud. Continued progress will require shared commitment from everyone as we work together to reach the level this program is capable of achieving.
As college athletics continues through a period of transformation, we will confront these challenges directly and build competitive rosters while embracing NIL and revenue-sharing opportunities — operating with integrity and staying true to the values of the University of San Diego in everything we do.
We look forward to the support from our alumni, fans, campus and surrounding communities as we embark on a new era of USD Athletics and USD men’s basketball.”
