Chicago native Lance Irvin was hired as head coach of the Chicago State men’s basketball program on August 7, 2018. Irvin has broad coaching experience at both the collegiate and high school levels, and he has deep ties to basketball in the Chicago area as a former star high school player at Julian High School in the 80’s.
Irvin comes to CSU from Morgan Park High School, located on the city’s far south side, where he served as varsity boys assistant basketball coach and dean of students for six seasons. He helped the Mustangs claim four IHSA Class 3A state championships (2013, ’14, ’17 and ’18) and a third-place finish in 2016 while tutoring several all-city and all-state players during his tenure.
His 18-year collegiate experience includes being the associate head coach at Southern Illinois University in downstate Carbondale for four years from 2008-12. Other assistant coaching stints at Southern Methodist, Missouri, Texas A&M, Iowa State and Loyola University Chicago.
“I couldn’t be happier to be joining Chicago State University as head coach of the men’s basketball team, which is a tremendous group of athletes ready to make their mark,” Irvin said. “This is an exciting time to join CSU, and I look forward to helping this team unlock its potential and achieve great things for the school and the city of Chicago.”
Irvin started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Idaho in 1991-92. Along the way, he has helped several players reach the NBA, including Jackson Vroman (Iowa State), Paul McPherson (DePaul), and Antoine Wright and Acie Law (Texas A&M).
As a player, Irvin was an all-city, all-area and all-state selection and an honorable mention All-American as a senior at Julian in 1987. Irvin went on to play at Colorado State before transferring to Idaho, where he would receive his bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 1992.
Irvin resides in Chicago with his wife Paula and daughter Brooklyn, who is a freshman playing volleyball at Hampton University in Virginia.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT COACH IRVIN:
"Without my loved ones in my life I would not have had the foundation of discipline and hard work it took to reach the next level. From the years I've known Lance, he has been nothing but the best. He has been a great example for others and myself who have been under his wing as former players of his. The relationship that we all formed goes beyond basketball and more importantly it's a friendship that his former players will always cherish. Thank you, Lance and your family, for always having my best interest at heart. Chicago State Basketball has a great leader among them."
Jabari Parker
NBA Player (Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls)
"Lance Irvin is a terrific hire for Chicago State. I've known Lance since his days as a young assistant coach and he knows Chicago basketball as well as anyone. He has the ability to develop relationships and connect both with his players and recruits. He has a wealth of experience as a college assistant coach, and he's not afraid to roll up his sleeves and put in the hard work it takes to be successful. Perhaps most importantly, he'll provide his team a first-hand example of how to rise above the adversity that we all face in life. I'm excited and proud of Lance's journey. He did not feel sorry for himself when facing his battle with leukemia. Now cancer free, he will use that inner strength to mentor and motivate his student-athletes at Chicago State as he takes the Cougar program to the next level."
Tom Izzo
Head Men's Basketball Coach
Michigan State University
"Lance Irvin is an excellent hire for Chicago State University. Irvin is bright, energetic, hardworking and a great coach. He has experience beyond his years and has worked for excellent great coaches through the years. I am confident he will be an asset to not only the basketball program, but the entire Chicago State University community."
Robert Smith
Head Men's Basketball Coach
Simeon High School
