Veteran leader has led his teams into the NCAA Tournament in 6 of the last 7 seasons
Men's Basketball | April 04, 2024
Eric Musselman has been named the USC Men's Basketball Head Coach, Charles Griffin Cale Director of Athletics Jennifer Cohen announced today (April 4). Musselman will be formally introduced to the USC Family and members of the media on Friday, April 5th at 10:30 am in the Centofante Hall of Fame at Galen Center.
"I am beyond excited to welcome Eric, Danyelle and their incredible family to USC," said Cohen. "We were determined to find the best coach to champion the development of our student-athletes and elevate our men's basketball program. His track record of building winning programs and his unwavering commitment to a culture of excellence make him the perfect fit for USC. Eric displays heart, boldness, resiliency, and everything that it means to be a Trojan. He inspires togetherness and will help build and grow the program's connectivity within the Trojan community. As we move to the Big Ten and enter a new chapter for USC Men's Basketball, there is no better fit than Eric Musselman to launch our program to new heights."
Musselman comes to Los Angeles after a successful thirty-year career as a college, professional and international head and assistant coach. Most recently, in five seasons as the head coach at the University of Arkansas, Musselman led the Razorbacks to three NCAA Tournaments, including two Elite Eight runs and three Sweet Sixteen berths in his five seasons. Arkansas was ranked as high as No. 6 (USA Today Coaches Poll) during his tenure. He completed his tenure in Fayetteville with a 111-59 overall record and had at least one player selected in each of the last five NBA Drafts, the third-best active streak among NCAA coaches.
"My family and I couldn't be more excited for this incredible opportunity at USC," said Musselman. "I am grateful to President Folt and Jen Cohen for the chance to lead the men's basketball program at such a world-class university with a rich tradition of success. We will be committed to the development of our student-athletes and upholding the values that make the Trojan Family so special. We will hit the ground running and work tirelessly to make our great alumni, fans and all of Los Angeles proud."
Prior to Arkansas, Musselman was the head coach at the University of Nevada (2016-19), leading the Wolf Pack to three Mountain West Conference regular season championships in each of his last three seasons. The Wolf Pack won the CBI (College Basketball Invitational) postseason tournament in his first year as head coach while adding a Mountain West tournament title in 2017 to secure the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2007. He then led Nevada to at-large berths to the 2018 and 2019 NCAA Tournament as a seventh seed in each season, with the Wolf Pack reaching as high as No. 5 in a national poll in 2018-19. Nevada student-athlete Caleb Martin was selected as an All-American in both 2018 and 2019.
"I want to welcome Coach Musselman and his family to Los Angeles for one of the most anticipated eras in the history of USC athletics," said USC President Carol Folt. "During my conversation with Eric, it was clear he will put students first, shape future leaders, and win the right way."
Musselman was an assistant coach at LSU and Arizona State, following stints as the head coach of the NBA G-League Los Angeles D-Fenders and Reno Bighorns and the NBA's Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors. He was also an assistant coach with the Memphis Grizzlies, Atlanta Hawks, Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves. He worked in the United States Basketball League and the Continental Basketball League and on the international front, Musselman has coached with the United States, Dominican Republic and Venezuelan national teams.
For his coaching accomplishments, Musselman was named the Mountain West Coach of the Year (2018), the NBA D-League Coach of the Year (2012), the United States Basketball League Coach of the Year (1996) and was a semifinalist for college basketball's national Naismith Coach of the Year Award (2021) and was the runner-up in the NBA Coach of the Year award voting (2003).
A native of Ohio and Minnesota, he earned his Bachelor's Degree from the University of San Diego where he played basketball, during which time the Toreros played in two NCAA Tournaments and Musselman was named to the West Coast Conference All-Academic team three times. With his schooling in San Diego and coaching in the Bay Area, Musselman brings strong California ties to the position.
Musselman and his wife, Danyelle, have a daughter, Mariah, and Musselman has two sons, Matthew and Michael.
Musselman's hiring is contingent upon his completion of a successful University background screening.
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