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SoCalHoops Recruiting News

LMU's Steve Aggers Gets LOI From
Pali's Eurskine Robinson--(Apr. 27, 2000)

Steve Aggers, the new men's basketball coach at Loyola Marymount has wasted no time, picking up an LOI from Eurskine Robinson (6'-0" So. PG). Robinson played for College of the Canyons, and was a graduate of LA Palisades. Robinson, a lefty, will fill an immediate need that Aggers sees for a quality and proven point guard to take charge for the Lions next season, which was depending last season on Fairfax grad, freshman Stanley Thorne (5'-8" Fr. PG) who was far from effective under former head coach Charles Bradley. Thorne's continued status with the team next season also appears uncertain, although there have been no official announcements. The signing of Robinson likewise has not yet been confirmed by the Lions, but it has been confirmed by Recruiting USA (yes, this is our day to plug Benezra and Mayemura).

And since we missed posting up the official press release announcing Steve Aggers' hiring last month, this seems like as good a time as any to make up for it. Here's the release on Aggers:

STEVE AGGERS NAMED MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH AT LOYOLA MARYMOUNT

LMU Athletic Media Relations

STEVE AGGERS NAMED HEAD MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH

AT LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY

Aggers Tabbed 22nd Head Coach At LMU After Finishing A Five-Year Tenure As The Most

Accomplished Men’s Basketball Coach In Eastern Washington History

Los Angeles, Calif., Wednesday, April 5, 2000 -- Loyola Marymount University Director of Athletics Dr. William Husak announced today that Steve Aggers, the most successful coach in the history of men’s basketball at Eastern Washington University, has been named the 22nd head coach at LMU. The announcement came at a press conference held at Gersten Pavilion on the Westchester Campus in Los Angeles, Calif.

“Steve has a fantastic record of building and rebuilding programs,” stated LMU Director of Athletics William Husak. “He has been successful on every level of the coaching profession, but more importantly his emphasis on academics is very impressive. He also has a very strong and reputable track record in the recruiting arena which is very important to our program.”

Aggers, 50, had a phenomenal five-year run at Eastern Washington. Guiding the Eagles to a share of its first Big Sky Conference title in school history in March, EWU finished the season at 15-11 overall and 12-4 in conference play. After accomplishing the school’s first conference crown, Aggers was named the Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year, an honor that came on the heels of the prestigious National Association of Basketball Coaches District 13 Coach of the Year award. Aggers joined the company of 14 fellow district winners including the likes of Jim Boeheim (Syracuse), John Chaney (Temple), Mike Krzyzewski (Duke), Billy Donovan (Florida), Bob Huggins (Cincinatti), Tom Izzo (Michigan State), Larry Eustachy (Iowa State), and Mike Montgomery (Stanford).

The winner of more Big Sky conference games than any other coach in Eastern Washington history, Aggers led the Eagles to 32 conference wins in the past four seasons. As a member of the Big Sky Conference since 1984, Eastern had won only 34 games without Aggers as its head coach. Since arriving in Cheney, Wash., in 1995, Aggers took the Eagle basketball program from a power ranking of No.298 to No.106 this past season, its highest ranking in EWU history. He guided Eastern to a 32-46 Big Sky record, and 51-82 overall. In the past three seasons, his teams were 41-40 (.506) and 29-19 (.604) in conference play.

“Extremely thankful for the opportunity I’ve been given by Father Lawton, Dr. Lane Bove, and Bill Husak, I see this as a new beginning and a fresh start,” stated Steve Aggers who accepted his new assignment at Loyola Marymount Tuesday. “My staff and I are looking toward a very bright and dynamic future. One of the reasons I accepted this job was the location of the institution, its proud past with a rich athletic tradition, strong academic reputation and the outstanding recruiting base it provides. Our goals and objectives are not to just be competitive, but to build a championship program. This will not be a sprint, but rather a marathon that includes a staff of blue-collar professionals that have a successful history of rebuilding programs at every level. We will begin working toward that end today.”

Aggers leaves the Eastern Washington program on solid ground. Well known for his recruiting talents, Aggers signed two Washington State Players of the Year to national letters of intent for the 2000-2001 season (Alvin Snow, the 4A Player of the Year from Franklin High School, and Eddie Lincoln, the 3A Player of the Year from O’Dea High School). It was the first time in school history Eastern Washington had signed a Player of the Year from either of two largest classifications of high school basketball in the state.

“The men’s basketball program is an extremely important element of our athletic department, and I am thrilled that we have brought Steve aboard to direct and lead our team,” said Husak. “With nearly 30 years of coaching experience, Steve’s credentials were very attractive to a place like Loyola Marymount. His dedication to academics as well as his reputation in the coaching community are unparalleled. Steve has an impeccable and accomplished resume, and we’re very excited about his arrival.”

Aggers began his collegiate coaching career in 1974 when he accepted the duties as head coach at Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte, Neb. Spending four seasons at the school (1974-78), Aggers guided the Knights to three 20-plus winning seasons and captured one league title while ranking among the top 10 programs in the country in team defense. His 1974-75 squad shared the NCCAC conference title.

Moving back to his native Laramie, Wyo., during the 1978-79 season, Aggers accepted his first Division I coaching assignment as an assistant under Jim Brandenburg. Spending just one season with the Cowboys, Aggers helped Wyoming finish with an overall record of 15-12 and a 5-7 mark (4th place) in the Western Athletic Conference. While in Laramie, Aggers established a strong relationship with fellow assistant Tom Asbury.

Aggers left Wyoming after just one season and accepted his second head coaching position in 1979 at the College of the Great Falls in Great Falls, Mont. Aggers spent six seasons with the program (1979-85) and helped the team amass a record of 120-54 (.689). Posting six-consecutive winning seasons, Aggers guided the team to five post-season playoff appearances and captured three conference titles. Twice earning Frontier Conference Coach of the accolades, Aggers was also tabbed the District 12 Coach of the Year following the 1981-82 season. In addition to his duties as head basketball coach, Aggers served as the director of athletics and also taught a variety of physical education courses.

In 1985, Aggers took over the head coaching duties at Wayne State College in Wayne, Neb. Helping to guide the school through its transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II, Aggers quickly rebuilt the program into a winner. He led Wayne State to four post-season appearances during his five-year tenure (1985-90) and earned NAIA District 11 Coach of the Year honors in 1988-89.

Aggers transitioned back into the Division I coaching ranks following his stint at Wayne State. Becoming an assistant under Tom Asbury at Pepperdine in 1990, Aggers spent four successful seasons in Malibu (1990-94). Helping to guide the Waves to three 20-plus winning seasons, Aggers played a major role in guiding Pepperdine to three NCAA Tournament berths and one appearance in the NIT. During the four seasons Aggers spent at Pepperdine, the Waves compiled a record of 88-35, and at one point had built a conference game winning streak of 38 games.

In 1994, Aggers followed Tom Asbury to Manhattan, Kan., when he accepted the head coaching position at Kansas State. Aggers spent only one season with the Wildcats, helping KSU post a record of 12-15. The following year, Aggers accepted the head coaching duties at Eastern Washington University where he was one of the most successful coaches in the program’s Division I history.

In addition to his vast array of coaching assignments, Aggers has spent a number of years teaching coursework in physical education. Aggers taught classes at Sheridan Junior College (1973-74), Mid-Plains (1974-78), Wyoming (1978-79), College of the Great Falls (1979-85), and at Wayne State (1985-90).

A native of Laramie, Wyo, Aggers graduated with a bachelor of science degree in 1971 from Chadron State College in Chadron, Neb. While at the school, he was a four-year letterman on the basketball team and was selected to the Outstanding College Athletes of America as a junior and senior. His senior year, Aggers was named to the Nebraska State College Coaches All-Star squad. He continued his education at the University of Nebraska-Omaha where he earned a master’s of science degree in education in 1973.

Aggers has been highly visible in the community during each of his coaching stops. Assisting in fund-raising efforts for the Easter Seals and working with the Nebraska Heart Association, he has also served as a committee chairman for the Montana State Special Olympic Games. He’s also conducted workshops for the Nebraska Special Olympics, and served on the recreation committee formulated by the Great Falls, Mont., Chamber of Commerce. One of the 31 voting members on the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll, Aggers also served as the Big Sky Conference representative on the NABC Division I Congress. Aggers and his wife, Frankie, have a son Erin, 23, and a daughter, Keely, 18