STEVEN LANPHER
Westlake
Summary
Dynamic collegiate women's basketball coach with a proven track record of record-setting performances and NCAA tournament appearances. Expertise in strategic recruitment and comprehensive skill development to build disciplined, competitive teams. Strong commitment to fostering a positive team culture and ensuring academic success for student-athletes.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Women's Basketball Coach
Cleveland State University
Cleveland
07.2025 - 06.2026
- Coordinated recruitment for junior college athletes, evaluating and identifying top candidates to strengthen team roster.
- Focused on skill development of post position players, enhancing fundamental techniques to improve on-court performance.
- Motivated student athletes to maximize effort during practices and games, fostering a competitive mindset.
- Mentored players on academic responsibilities and life skills.
- Oversaw opponent scouting, producing detailed paper and video reports.
- Managed special situations including blob plays and late-game strategies.
- Assisted in implementing daily practice plans and organizing game schedules.
- Contributed to team success with a 26-10 record and a Great 8 finish in WNIT.
Head Women's Basketball Coach
Randolph College
Lynchburg
08.2019 - 08.2025
- Successfully recruited high-quality athletes, aligning talent acquisition with team needs.
- Developed and implemented strategic game plans and training programs, achieving record-setting team performance improvements.
- Created and organized detailed scouting reports with Synergy and Just Play, improving game preparation efficiency.
- Managed assistant coaches and support staff, effectively delegating tasks to enhance team operations.
- Fostered a positive team culture through mentorship, communication, and teamwork emphasis.
- Monitored academic progress of athletes to ensure eligibility and promote academic success.
- Coordinated team travel logistics, ensuring timely and organized travel arrangements for all team events.
- Participated in fundraising initiatives, increasing program visibility and strengthening community engagement.
Head Women's Basketball Coach
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark
05.2012 - 06.2018
- Steered women's basketball program to first winning season in Division I history with 16 victories.
- Recruited talented athletes by assessing skills and identifying potential contributions to team success.
- Developed player skills, fostered team spirit, and implemented effective game strategies.
- Hired and supervised coaching staff to enhance program performance and achieve strategic goals.
- Managed assistant coaches and support staff, delegating tasks to streamline operations and foster collaboration.
- Conducted scouting of opponents to devise strategic counterplays.
- Facilitated regular team meetings to set objectives and address concerns.
- Promoted sportsmanship, academic excellence, and personal growth among student-athletes.
Associate Head Women's Basketball Coach
University of Massachusetts
Amherst
04.2010 - 05.2012
- Coordinated game scheduling to maximize resource and facility utilization.
- Took charge of offensive design and implementation, enhancing team strategies.
- Conducted thorough scouting of opponents, creating effective game strategies.
- Guided coaching staff in skill development and effective coaching techniques, enhancing overall team performance.
- Recruited and evaluated potential student-athletes to align talent with team needs.
- Developed and delivered pre-game and post-game motivational speeches to inspire athletes.
- Inspired student-athletes to excel during practices and games, promoting a culture of achievement.
- Fostered team unity through team-building exercises and communication workshops.
Assistant Coach/Associate Head Coach
University of Vermont
Burlington
08.2006 - 04.2010
- Coordinated recruitment efforts to attract high-caliber student-athletes, directly contributing to team success.
- Maintained an overall record of 92-40 with two America East championships and two NCAA tournament appearances.
- Delivered pre-game motivational speeches that strengthened team spirit and inspired peak performance.
- Assisted in daily practice plan execution to improve player skills and team cohesion.
- Developed scouting reports and game plans to prepare for upcoming opponents.
- Analyzed game footage to identify performance improvement areas.
- Communicated specific feedback on training progress to athletes, facilitating targeted skill enhancement.
- Collaborated with head coach and staff to strategize for competitive events.
Head Women's Basketball Coach
Norwich University
Northfield
08.2002 - 08.2006
- Oversaw all aspects of DIII program, including recruitment, staffing, and scheduling to enhance program effectiveness.
- Achieved 92-28 overall record with conference championship and NCAA tournament appearance in 2025-26.
- Ranked 1st nationally in scoring defense; recognized as conference coach of the year.
- Identified and recruited skilled athletes based on their potential contributions to team success and program goals.
- Fostered positive team culture through mentorship, communication, and motivation.
- Collaborated with community stakeholders to promote women's basketball initiatives and strengthen program visibility at college level.
- Conducted scouting of opponents to develop effective game strategies and counterplays.
- Monitored academic progress of athletes to ensure eligibility and success.
Education
Master of Education -
College of St. Joseph
Rutland, VTSkills
- Talent scouting
- Game analysis
- Opponent scouting
- Scouting analysis
- Game strategy formulation
- Practice planning
- Team management
- Team synergy
- Team building
- Team bonding activities
- Athlete support
- Culture development initiatives
- Program development
- Skill enhancement
- Recruitment strategies
- NCAA compliance oversight
- Academic supervision
- Staff development
- Leadership development
- Sponsorship development
- Communication skills
- Motivation techniques
- Staff leadership skills
- Character education
- Academic supervision
- Staff leadership skills
Affiliations
WBCA, Active member
Accomplishments
- 2026 Cleveland State University WBB WNIT Great 8 participant
- 2022-2023 Randolph College- Single Season Record for most wins-19
- 2021-26 Randolph College- 5 straight ODAC Conference Tournament Appearances
- 2019-2026- 72 wins & only women's basketball coach with a career winning percentage.
- 2012-2013- NJIT- 1st Division I winning season in history of program
- 2013- NJIT- Great West Conference Tournament Champions
- 2009-2010- Vermont America East Champions- NCAA 2nd Round
- 2008-2009- Vermont- America East Champions- NCAA 1st Round
- 2005-2006- Norwich- GNAC Champions- NCAA D3- 2nd Round. Conference Coach of the Year
Timeline
Assistant Women's Basketball Coach
Cleveland State University
07.2025 - 06.2026
Head Women's Basketball Coach
Randolph College
08.2019 - 08.2025
Head Women's Basketball Coach
New Jersey Institute of Technology
05.2012 - 06.2018
Associate Head Women's Basketball Coach
University of Massachusetts
04.2010 - 05.2012
Assistant Coach/Associate Head Coach
University of Vermont
08.2006 - 04.2010
Head Women's Basketball Coach
Norwich University
08.2002 - 08.2006
Master of Education -
College of St. Joseph