Steve Lappas was born on June 1, 1954, in the city of Glens Falls, New York. From a young age, he displayed great talent and passion for basketball. Lappas played high school basketball at Glens Falls High School, where he quickly became a standout player.
After high school, Steve Lappas took his skills to the collegiate level. He attended the University of Massachusetts, where he played as a point guard for the Minutemen. Lappas had a successful college career, leading his team to two NCAA tournament appearances and earning a reputation as a skilled playmaker. He graduated from UMass in 1977.
Following his playing days, Steve Lappas embarked on a successful coaching career. He began as an assistant coach at his alma mater, UMass, from 1977 to 1988. During this time, he contributed to the team's success in reaching the NCAA tournament on several occasions.
In 1988, Lappas got his first head coaching job at Manhattan College. He spent four seasons at Manhattan, leading the team to consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championships and NCAA tournament appearances.
Steve Lappas then moved on to coach at Villanova University in 1992. During his tenure at Villanova, he transformed the program into a consistent contender in the Big East Conference. Under Lappas' guidance, the team had numerous successful seasons and made five NCAA tournament appearances.
After leaving Villanova in 2001, Steve Lappas transitioned into a broadcasting career. He became a college basketball analyst for CBS Sports, where he provided expert commentary during games and analysis of players and teams. Lappas' insight and knowledge of the game made him a respected figure in the broadcasting world.
Steve Lappas' coaching record includes a successful run at Manhattan College, where he had an overall record of 95-46, and at Villanova University, where he finished with a record of 174-110.
No, Steve Lappas did not play professional basketball. However, he had a notable college career playing for the University of Massachusetts.
Steve Lappas began his broadcasting career in 2001 following his coaching career. He has been a college basketball analyst for CBS Sports for over two decades.
While Steve Lappas did not win any coach of the year awards, he left a lasting impact on the programs he coached, leading them to multiple conference championships and NCAA tournament appearances.