Former UCLA head coach Steve Lavin joins Pac-12 Networks as a men's basketball analyst
Bay Area native brings more than 20 years of coaching experience to Networks’ coverage of 153 games this season
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (September 17, 2015) – With the fourth season of live men’s basketball coverage just weeks away, Pac-12 Networks announced today that former UCLA head coach Steve Lavin is returning to his west coast roots as a men’s hoops analyst for Pac-12 Networks.
A native of San Francisco, Lavin will contribute to the Networks’ fourth season of men’s basketball coverage as both a studio and game analyst. Pac-12 Networks will produce 153 games, including eight Pac-12 Tournament contests from Las Vegas, this season.
“Steve is a natural fit for Pac-12 Networks," said Pac-12 Networks President Lydia Murphy-Stephans. “His success as a coach at UCLA and his experience in the broadcast booth will instantly make him a key player on our team. He’s insightful, has great energy and his knowledge of the college basketball landscape will be invaluable to our coverage.”
In his 11 years as a head coach at UCLA and St. John’s University, Lavin posted an overall record of 226-131, including 10 winning seasons, nine with 20-or-more wins and eight NCAA Tournament bids. He also had 16 student-athletes drafted by NBA teams.
Lavin’s coaching career began in 1988 as an assistant coach at Purdue under Gene Keady. He joined the UCLA staff in 1991 and served five years as an assistant coach, including 1995 when the Bruins went 32-1 and won the NCAA Championship. In 1996-97, Lavin was elevated to head coach at UCLA and guided the Bruins to six NCAA tournament berths in his seven seasons and posted six 20+ win seasons.
Following UCLA, Lavin served as a college basketball analyst for ABC Sports and ESPN from 2003-10, establishing himself as one of the game’s top commentators. He returned to the bench in 2010, when he was named head coach at St. John’s University. From 2010-15, Lavin led the Red Storm to a record of 81-53, including three 20-win seasons and two NCAA Tournament appearances.
“I have an inherent comfort level and familiarity with the Pac-12 Conference, having already spent 12 years coaching basketball at UCLA. That history makes returning to the Pac-12 as a broadcaster an ideal opportunity,” Lavin said. “I'm eager for the college basketball season to begin and look forward to contributing as an analyst on the Pac-12 Networks’ coverage.”
Lavin is the latest addition to the Networks’ on-air talent team for men’s hoops, joining fellow former Pac-12 head coaches Kevin O’Neill and Mike Montgomery, plus legendary Bruins Don MacLean and Bill Walton. Lavin will make his first Networks’ appearance as part of the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Media Day Special,airing live from the Networks’ studio Thursday, October 15 from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. PT.
Pac-12 Networks’ live men’s basketball coverage begins Saturday, October 17 with the defending Conference Champion Arizona Wildcats’ Red-Blue Game.
Source: pac-12.com