<h2><span class="mw-headline" id="UCLA_Tenure">UCLA Tenure</span></h2>
After spending five years as an assistant on the Bruins' staff, Lavin
was promoted to head coach at UCLA shortly before the 1996 season. On
November 6, 1996, UCLA head coach Jim Harrick was fired amid recruiting
violations. Lavin initially replaced Harrick as an UCLA interim head
coach for the 1996-1997 season. Later that same season, on Feb. 11,
1997, with the Bruins tied for first place in the Pac-10 with an 8-3
record, Lavin was rewarded by having the interim tag lifted to become
UCLA’s 11th head coach in school history. After Lavin was named
permanent head coach, the Bruins won their next 11 games, before being
eliminated by the Minnesota Gophers in the NCAA Midwest Regional Final.</p>
In March 2003, Lavin had his first losing season (10-19) as a head
coach and was relieved of his duties. Throughout his final days as head
coach, Lavin expressed only gratitude for his twelve-year association
with UCLA.</p><h2><span class="editsection">[
edit]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Recruiting_success">Recruiting success</span></h2>
As head coach at UCLA, Lavin and his staff recruited and signed the
No. 1 rated recruiting class in the country in 1998 and 2001. Lavin
signed seven McDonald’s High School All-Americans. Seven of Lavin’s
former Bruin recruits are currently roster members of NBA teams:
Trevor
Ariza (
Houston Rockets),
Matt
Barnes (
Orlando Magic),
Baron
Davis (
Los Angeles Clippers),
Dan
Gadzuric (
Milwaukee Bucks),
Ryan
Hollins (
Minnesota Timberwolves),
Jason
Kapono (
Philadelphia 76ers), and
Earl
Watson (
Indiana Pacers). As a result, the Bruins have
the longest collegiate streak in the country of consecutive years
having a player drafted to the NBA.</p><h2><span class="editsection">[
edit]</span> <span class="mw-headline" id="Sweet_16">Sweet 16</span></h2>
During Lavin’s tenure as head coach, the Bruins qualified for six
consecutive NCAA Tournaments (1997-2002). During this period, Lavin
became one of two coaches (along Duke’s
Mike Krzyzewski) to have led his team to five NCAA Sweet
16s in six seasons. Lavin’s record in the first and second rounds of
the NCAA tournament is 10-1. Lavin’s winning percentage (90.9%) in the
first two rounds, is second only to
Dean
Smith in NCAA Tournament history.</p>
In seven seasons as head coach Lavin’s record was 12-4 in games
involving overtime. Additionally Lavin's Bruins had a 10-4 record
against the rival USC Trojans. In one stretch (1997-2002) Lavin’s Bruins
compiled nine consecutive overtime victories, including victories over
Arizona, Cincinnati (2002 NCAA second round double overtime victory over
No. 1 West Region seed), Kentucky, and over then #1 ranked Stanford).</p>
Lavin’s Bruins team had a knack for knocking off #1 teams. Lavin lead
his team to victory over the No. 1 team in the country in four
consecutive collegiate seasons (Arizona ’03, Kansas ’02, Stanford ’01,
and Stanford ’00).</p><h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Head_coaching_record">Head coaching
record</span></h2><table class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"><tbody><tr><th>Season</th><th>Team</th><th>Overall</th><th>Conference</th><th>Standing</th><th>Postseason</th></tr><tr><td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom: 2px solid rgb(170, 170, 170);" colspan="9" align="center">
Steve
Lavin (1996–2003)</td></tr><tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(255, 221, 153);"><td>
1996–97</td><td>UCLA</td><td>24–8</td><td>15–3</td><td>1</td><td>
NCAA Elite
Eight</td></tr><tr><td>
1997–98</td><td>UCLA</td><td>24–9</td><td>12–6</td><td>3</td><td>
NCAA Sweet
Sixteen</td></tr><tr><td>
1998–99</td><td>UCLA</td><td>22–9</td><td>12–6</td><td>3</td><td>
NCAA Round
of 64</td></tr><tr><td>
1999–00</td><td>UCLA</td><td>21–12</td><td>10–8</td><td>4</td><td>
NCAA Sweet
Sixteen</td></tr><tr><td>
2000–01</td><td>UCLA</td><td>23–9</td><td>14–4</td><td>3</td><td>
NCAA Sweet
Sixteen</td></tr><tr><td>
2001–02</td><td>UCLA</td><td>21–12</td><td>11–7</td><td>6</td><td>
NCAA Sweet
Sixteen</td></tr><tr><td>
2002–03</td><td>UCLA</td><td>10–19</td><td>6–12</td><td>6</td><td>
</td></tr><tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(250, 250, 250); border-top: 2px solid rgb(170, 170, 170);"><td colspan="2" align="center">
UCLA:</td><td>145–78</td><td>81–48</td><td colspan="5">
</td></tr><tr style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% rgb(221, 221, 221);"><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center;">
Total:</td><td>145–78</td><td colspan="7">
</td></tr><tr><td colspan="9">
<span style="background-color: rgb(255, 182, 38); width: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span>
National Champion
<span style="background-color: rgb(255, 221, 153); width: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span>
Conference Regular Season
Champion <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 153); width: 20px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span>
Conference
Tournament Champion
<span style="background-color: rgb(217, 165, 61); width: 20px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span>
Conference Regular Season
& Conference Tournament Champion <span style="background-color: rgb(187, 255, 255); width: 20px; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span>
Conference Division Champion</p></td></tr></tbody></table>
</p>
</p>
Also, as it says in the resume, Lavin's teams loved to beat #1 ranked teams.... Beating highly ranked teams is something Stansbury hates to do.</p>
</p>
Not saying we should pursue Lavin, but his resume is WAY, WAY, WAY greater than Stansbury's playing in a much more competitive schedule with a HUGE bullseye on your back because your UC 17'n LA.</p>
</p>
Why don't you give us your insight into who should hire instead of just criticizing everyone else's opinion.
</p>
</p>
</p>
</p>
