Early Life and Education
Steve Lavin was born on September 4, 1964, in San Francisco, California, and raised in nearby Marin County. He attended Sir Francis Drake High School, where he was a member of the basketball team that won the 1982 California state championship with a 34–0 record. Lavin initially attended San Francisco State University and later transferred to Chapman University, from which he graduated in 1988 with a bachelor's degree in communications.
Coaching Career
Lavin's career began in 1988 when he was hired as an assistant coach at Purdue University. He then moved to UCLA as an assistant coach in 1991, contributing to the 1995 national championship team. In 1996, he became UCLA's head coach, leading the Bruins to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight finish in 1997. During his time at UCLA, from 1996 to 2003, he compiled a record of 145–78. After UCLA, Lavin coached at St. John's University from 2010 to 2015 and is currently the head coach of the University of San Diego's men's basketball team.
Business Leadership at OSI Group
Beyond his coaching career, Lavin is the chairman of OSI Group, a global food processing company. He took over the business in 2023 after his father, Sheldon Lavin, passed away. OSI Group, which started by supplying McDonald's, now has over 65 plants across 18 countries. The company is a major supplier for brands like McDonald's, Nestlé, Chipotle, and Kraft.
Philanthropy
Lavin is committed to philanthropy, particularly in the fight against cancer. He has been involved with organizations such as Coaches vs. Cancer and The V Foundation for Cancer Research, contributing over $1.5 million since 2010. In 2022, he received the Michelle Carew Spirit Award from the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, recognizing his dedication to cancer research and awareness.
