Steve Lappas

Stephan Thomas Lappas (born March 18, 1954) is an American former college basketball coach. He coached at Manhattan (1988–1992), Villanova (1992–2001) and UMass (2001–2005), compiling a 280–237 (.542) record over a 17-year coaching career. He is currently a basketball color commentator and studio analyst for CBS Sports Network.

Steve Lappas
Lappas announces a game for the CBS Sports Network on February 21, 2016.
Biographical details
Born (1954-03-18) March 18, 1954
New York City, New York
Playing career
1972–1977CCNY
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1977–1978York College (CUNY) (assistant)
1978–1979Fort Lee HS (assistant)
1979–1984Harry S. Truman HS
1984–1988Villanova (assistant)
1988–1992Manhattan
1992–2001Villanova
2001–2005UMass
Head coaching record
Overall280–237 (college)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
Big East regular season (1997)
Big East Tournament (1995)
NIT (1994)
MAAC Tournament (1992)
Awards
Naismith College Coach of the Year (1995)
MAAC Coach of the Year (1992)

Biography

Education

Lappas graduated from Bronx High School of Science in 1972, where he was sixth man on its 1971 city championship team and a starter as a prep senior. He went on to the City College of New York, where he was a three-year letterwinner in basketball and served as the team's captain in his junior season. He graduated in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in primary education.[1]

Coaching career

In 1977, Lappas started coaching at York College, City University of New York as a volunteer, and moved to Fort Lee High School the next year, becoming an assistant. After one season, he assumed his first head coaching job with Harry S. Truman High School (in The Bronx), staying there through 1984.[1] Lappas fashioned a 91–32 record,[2] and was named New York Daily News Coach of the Year twice (1981 and 1984).[3] Harry S. Truman High School won a New York State Class A championship under Lappas in the 1983–84 season, during which it was 27–3.[1] In 1984 Lappas joined Rollie Massimino's staff at Villanova University.[4]

Head coach

In 1988 Lappas became head coach at Manhattan College,[2] where he turned around the program from a 7–21 season in 1988–89 to a 25–9 season and a berth to the 3rd round of the NIT in 1992.[1] In 1992, he succeeded Rollie Massimino as head coach at Villanova,[5] where he guided the team to seven postseason tournament appearances (four NCAA, three NIT),[6] posting an 8–6 record and winning the 1994 National Invitation Tournament.[1] In 2001, he resigned as head coach after Villanova declined to sign him for a long-term contract due to multiple years of poor recruiting, and a subsequent lack of success in the postseason. He became head coach of the University of Massachusetts on March 26, 2001.[1] In four seasons at UMass, the Minutemen struggled under Lappas, and finished with a record of 50–65. His contract was not renewed and he was let go on March 14, 2005.[7]

Head coaching record

College
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Manhattan Jaspers (Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) (1988–1992)
1988–89 Manhattan 7–213–117th
1989–90 Manhattan 11–177–9T–3rd
1990–91 Manhattan 13–158–85th
1991–92 Manhattan 25–913–31stNIT Third Round
Manhattan: 56–6231–31
Villanova Wildcats (Big East Conference) (1992–2001)
1992–93 Villanova 8–193–1510th
1993–94 Villanova 20–1210–8T–4thNIT Champion
1994–95 Villanova 25–814–42ndNCAA Division I First Round
1995–96 Villanova 26–714–42nd (BE 6)NCAA Division I Second Round
1996–97 Villanova 24–1012–6T–1st (BE 6)NCAA Division I Second Round
1997–98 Villanova 12–178–104th (BE 6)
1998–99 Villanova 21–1110–8T–4thNCAA Division I First Round
1999–00 Villanova 20–138–8T–6thNIT Second Round
2000–01 Villanova 18–138–8T–3rdNIT First Round
Villanova: 174–11087–71
UMass Minutemen (Atlantic 10 Conference) (2001–2005)
2001–02 UMass 13–166–104th (East)
2002–03* UMass 11–186–104th (East)
2003–04 UMass 10–194–124th (East)
2004–05 UMass 16–129–73rd (East)
UMass: 50–6525–39
Total:280–237

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

* A-10 record includes a forfeit victory vs. St. Bonaventure, but season's overall win total does not include it.

References
  1. "Minutemen Select Steve Lappas as Head Basketball Coach". University of Massachusetts. March 26, 2001. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
  2. "Sports People; Manhattan's Choice". The New York Times. May 12, 1988. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
  3. "Men's Basketball: Steve Lappas". Villanova University. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
  4. "Bennerman, Wildcats' Jones in race for NIT scoring record". The Daily Gazette. March 30, 1994. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
  5. "Lappas Hired to Replace Massimino". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. April 15, 1992. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
  6. "Colleges Men's Basketball; Lappas Resigns At Villanova". The New York Times. March 25, 2001. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
  7. "UMass Announces Lappas' Contract Will Not Be Extended". University of Massachusetts. March 14, 2005. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
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