California State University, Northridge today announced the hire of 11-time NCAA tournament coach Mark Gottfried as Head Coach of the Matador Men’s Basketball Team.
Coaching in the Power Five Atlantic Coast and Southeastern conferences, Gottfried brings a rich basketball background and track record of success to the CSUN Matadors including head coaching stints at the University of Alabama, North Carolina State University and Murray State University. Most recently, Gottfried served as an assistant coach and scout with the Dallas Mavericks.
“Coach Gottfried is a proven winner who focuses on program development that spans from the court to the classroom,” CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison said. “We have a strong roster of returning student-athletes and recruits ready to thrive under his leadership and guidance.”
Gottfried has strong ties to the West Coast as an assistant coach under Jim Harrick at UCLA when the Bruins won the 1995 national championship. At the University of Alabama, five of his teams competed in the NCAA tournament, with the 2003-04 team advancing to the Elite Eight before falling to eventual tourney champion Connecticut. More recently, Gottfried’s Wolfpack teams twice advanced to the Sweet Sixteen.
“I am excited to be joining an excellent institution and athletic program,” Gottfried said. “I want to thank President Harrison for her confidence in me. Los Angeles has a strong place in the basketball world, as I know from my time at UCLA. I’m looking forward to helping these outstanding student-athletes achieve their full potential.”
A graduate of the University of Alabama, Gottfried holds the university’s records for three-point field goal percentage and three-pointers made in a game with eight. Gottfried and the Crimson Tide advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen three years in a row.
“Mark is the total package,” said ESPN college basketball analyst Seth Greenberg. “He’s a great communicator and a proven winner. He’s a championship coach and will be a great addition to the Northridge community.”
The CSUN Matadors compete in NCAA Division I in the Big West Conference and have appeared twice in the NCAA tournament.
