Early Life and Education
Steve Lavin was born on September 4, 1964, in San Francisco, California. He grew up in Marin County and attended Sir Francis Drake High School, where he was a key player on the basketball team that won the 1982 California state championship. He earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Chapman University in 1988.
Coaching Career
Lavin began his coaching career in 1988 as an assistant coach at Purdue University. He then moved to UCLA, where he served as an assistant coach before becoming the head coach in 1996. During his time at UCLA, he led the Bruins to eight NCAA Tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight in 1997, and five Sweet 16s. He was named the Pacific-10 Coach of the Year in 2001. Lavin also coached at St. John's University and is currently the head coach of the University of San Diego men's basketball team.
Business Ventures
Beyond his coaching career, Lavin is the chairman of OSI Group, a global food processing company. He took over the role after his father, Sheldon Lavin, passed away in 2023. OSI Group supplies food products to major brands, including McDonald's, Chipotle, and Kraft Heinz.
Philanthropy
Lavin has been involved in numerous charitable organizations throughout his career. He has supported the Jimmy V Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Coaches vs. Cancer, among others. He has contributed over $1.5 million to the V Foundation for Cancer Research since 2010.