Associate Head Coach Dave Rose to Lead Program in the Interim
PROVO -- BYU Athletics Director Tom Holmoe today announced that Men's Basketball Head Coach Steve Cleveland has resigned his position at BYU to accept the vacant men's basketball head-coaching position at Fresno State.
"Steve is from Fresno and has many ties to that area so we understand his decision to pursue this opportunity," Holmoe said. "Steve has helped restore the tradition of BYU basketball over the past eight seasons and has always represented BYU Athletics and the university well. I'm sure he will do the same at Fresno State. We wish Steve the best."
Cleveland, 53, was announced as the Bulldogs' new coach at a noon PT news conference today in Fresno.
Prior to being hired at BYU on March 11, 1997, Cleveland coached for 17 years in Fresno. He compiled a 157-77 record in seven seasons at Fresno City College after achieving a 180-70 record in 10 years at Clovis West High School.
In his eight seasons in Provo, Cleveland earned a 138-108 record and was named the 2003 Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year. His 2001 and 2003 teams earned MWC regular-season titles, with the 2001 squad also claiming the MWC Tournament crown. The Cougars received five straight postseason tournament invitations, including three NCAA Tournament bids, before suffering a 9-21 season in 2004-05. Cleveland's 138 victories ranks fourth all-time among BYU coaches.
Associate Head Coach Dave Rose, who has served as Cleveland's lead assistant the past eight seasons, will assume responsibility for the program until Cleveland's replacement is named. Holmoe said the process to hire a new coach is underway.