Get to Know New CSU Men's Basketball Head Coach Lance Irvin

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. Irvin comes to CSU most recently from Chicago's Morgan Park High School where he served as varsity boys assistant basketball coach and dean of students. He helped the Mustangs capture four Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 3A state championships (2013, 2014, 2017, 2018) and a third-place finish at the 

His previous collegiate experience includes men's associate head basketball coach at Southern Illinois University in downstate Carbondale, Ill. and assistant coach at Southern Methodist University, University of Missouri, Texas A&M University, Iowa State University and Loyola University Chicago.

Throughout his career, Irvin has helped several players reach the NBA, including Jackson Vroman (Iowa State), Paul McPherson (DePaul), Antoine Wright and Acie Law (Texas A&M). He has also coached several stand-outs, including Tommy Kleinschmidt (DePaul), Brandon Cole (DePaul), Brian Mullins and Kevin Dillard (SIUC), Billy Garrett, Jr. (Morgan Park-DePaul), Cal Davis (Morgan Park-Dayton-Rio Grande Valley Vipers), Charlie Moore (Morgan Park-Kansas), Josh Cunningham (Morgan Park-Dayton) and Ayo Dosunmu (Morgan Park-University of Illinois).
 
"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."

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT CSU'S NEW HEAD MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH LANCE 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