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Steve Lavin Fired as San Diego Coach

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, February 19th 2026 at 10:33 GMT by Sporting News
      Locales: California, New York, UNITED STATES

San Diego, CA - February 19th, 2026 - Steve Lavin, a name once synonymous with UCLA basketball's golden era and a fixture in the college hoops landscape for over two decades, has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the University of San Diego. The announcement, made today, marks the end of a nine-year run with the Toreros and adds another chapter to a complex and often scrutinized coaching career.

Lavin's firing comes at a difficult time for the USD program, currently struggling with an 11-19 record this season. While he amassed a respectable 147-92 record during his time in San Diego, including a 61-46 mark in the competitive West Coast Conference, recent performance clearly factored into the university's decision to "move in a different direction," according to Athletic Director Bill McGillicuddy's statement. The last time USD tasted the excitement of the NCAA tournament was back in 2010, a feat Lavin spearheaded - a highlight that now feels increasingly distant.

But Lavin's story extends far beyond a single season or program. His overall head coaching record of 327-173 speaks to a proven ability to win, yet his career has been punctuated by moments of both triumph and turbulence. He first rose to prominence at St. John's University, taking the reins in 1999 and quickly turning the program into a Big East contender. His tenure there saw the Redmen consistently ranked among the nation's elite, and he built a reputation for developing young talent. However, the pressure of expectations and increasing competition eventually led to his departure in 2005.

The jump to UCLA in 2006 was arguably the peak of Lavin's career. He inherited a program steeped in tradition and immediately revitalized it, leading the Bruins to consecutive Final Four appearances in 2006 and 2007. This era was defined by exciting, high-scoring basketball and the emergence of future NBA stars. Yet, the shadow of what could have been looms large over his time in Westwood. The early departures of Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook - both lottery picks - are often cited as pivotal moments that derailed the Bruins' championship aspirations. While Lavin successfully recruited these players, retaining them proved to be a challenge, and the program never quite reached its full potential under his leadership.

Experts at the time debated whether Lavin's player-friendly approach contributed to these departures, suggesting a lack of strict discipline or an inability to manage the egos of burgeoning superstars. These critiques have followed him throughout his career, raising questions about his long-term sustainability as a head coach.

His move to San Diego in 2014 was seen by many as a chance for a fresh start - a chance to build a program from the ground up without the intense media scrutiny of a national powerhouse. He initially found success, leading the Toreros to a WCC tournament championship and NCAA berth in 2010, proving he could still navigate the complexities of college basketball. However, maintaining that level of success proved elusive in the increasingly competitive landscape of mid-major conferences.

So, what's next for Steve Lavin? At 58 years old, he is still relatively young for a coaching veteran. Several potential paths lie before him. He could pursue assistant coaching roles at a higher-profile program, leveraging his experience and connections to learn from a new perspective. A move into broadcasting or college basketball analysis seems equally likely, given his articulate and insightful commentary during television appearances. He has a natural charisma and a deep understanding of the game that would translate well to a media platform. Furthermore, a return to lower-level coaching, perhaps at a smaller university or junior college, could allow him to recapture the joy of building a program from scratch, away from the spotlight.

The University of San Diego now embarks on the search for a new leader to steer its men's basketball program. The WCC is a challenging conference, dominated by Gonzaga and increasingly competitive with teams like Saint Mary's and BYU. Finding a coach who can consistently compete for NCAA tournament bids will be a significant undertaking. For Lavin, this latest setback serves as a reminder of the relentless pressure and high expectations that define the world of college basketball. His legacy remains complex, a blend of successes, near-misses, and enduring questions about what might have been.