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Wikipedia / 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.

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.

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. Lappas fashioned a 91–32 record, and was named New York Daily News Coach of the Year twice (1981 and 1984). 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. In 1984 Lappas joined Rollie Massimino's staff at Villanova University.

Head coach

In 1988 Lappas became head coach at Manhattan College, 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. In 1992, he succeeded Rollie Massimino as head coach at Villanova, where he guided the team to seven postseason tournament appearances (four NCAA, three NIT), posting an 8–6 record and winning the 1994 National Invitation Tournament. 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. 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.

Head coaching record

College

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

The Lappie Awards

The Lappie Awards (often referred to simply as the Lappies) are annual college basketball honors presented by CBS Sports and analyst Steve Lappas. The awards recognize standout achievements in NCAA Division I men's basketball, including Coach of the Year, Team of the Year, and Player of the Year. The selections are traditionally announced during a featured late season CBS broadcast. Over time, the awards have become a recurring element of CBS's pre tournament college basketball coverage.

Award categories

  • Coach of the Year

  • Team of the Year

  • Player of the Year

Winners

2017

Awarded During: Syracuse at Louisville — February 26, 2017

  • Coach of the Year: Mark Few (Gonzaga)

  • Team of the Year: Villanova

  • Player of the Year: Josh Hart (Villanova)

2018

Awarded During: Cincinnati at Wichita State — March 4, 2018

2019

Awarded During: Villanova at Xavier — March 15, 2019

2020

Awarded During: Xavier at Georgetown — March 1, 2020

2020 Awards

2021

Awarded During: Memphis at Houston — March 7, 2021

2021 Awards

2022

Awarded During: Alabama at LSU — March 5, 2022

  • Coach of the Year: Ed Cooley (Providence)

  • Team of the Year: Arizona

  • Player of the Year: Johnny Davis (Wisconsin)

2023

Awarded During: Kentucky at Arkansas — March 4, 2023

  • Coach of the Year: Shaka Smart (Marquette)

  • Team of the Year: Houston

  • Player of the Year: Zach Edey (Purdue)

2024

Awarded During: Memphis at Florida Atlantic — March 9, 2024

2024 Awards

2025

Awarded During: Iowa State at Kansas State — March 8, 2025

2025 Awards

2026

Awarded During: Houston at Oklahoma State — March 7, 2026

2026 Awards

See also

References

  • https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/

  • https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/coaches/steve-lappas-1.html

  • https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-sports/shows/college-basketball/talent/?view=steve-lappas

  • https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/awards/

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